NAYPYITAW, Dec 20 ― Malaysia grabbed three more gold medals at the Myanmar SEA Games yesterday and are still seven gold medals short of their 40 gold target with two more days to go.

Malaysia are currently in fifth place with an an overall tally of 33 gold, 34 silver and 63 bronze.

Yesterday, the 16th day, Malaysia’s gold medals came from diving (two) and athletics (one).

London Olympics bronze medallist Pandelela Rinong Pamg and Ooi Tze Liang won the two gold medals on offer in diving today, bringing the contribution from diving to four gold medals so far.

The other gold  medal was won by Mohd Jironi Riduan in the men’s 1,500m.

However, he had to share it with Van Thai Duong of Vietnam after their times were identical.

It was also his second gold medal at this Games.

However, in the battle for the “mother of all gold medals” which is football, the national under-23 squad crashed out in the semifinals when they lost 3-4 in a penalty shootout to Indonesia. The match had ended in a 1-1 draw after regulation and extra time.

Two more gold medals are in the bag for Malaysia in sailing tomorrow as Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy and Mohd Faizal Norizan/Ahmad Shuki Abdul Aziz are unassailable in the Laser Standard and International 420 with a day of races to go.

Diving also promises two more gold medals for Malaysia today.   

Another gold medal can be expected from women’s hockey as Malaysia will be meeting Thailand in the final today.

Thailand are still in the overall lead with 82 gold, 80 silver and 66 bronze followed by Vietnam (64-60-70) and Myanmar (60-52-57). ― Bernama