A celebratory occasion turned somber when a Thai Olympic bronze medal winner’s grandmother collapsed and died only minutes before he won third place in Rio. On Tuesday, a mourning ritual was being held at the home of Sinphet Kruithong, where his friends and family had been watching the Olympics live on a big television screen set up for the special event in his village in northeastern Thailand, according to USA Today.
Local media footage showed villagers cheering and clapping as 22-year-old Sinphet lifted weights in 56-kilogram category on Monday. His 82-year-old grandmother, Subin Khongthap collapsed during the festivities only minutes before Sinphet’s triumph, and did not live to see her grandson win his medal. She will be cremated on Wednesday.
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A video captured people rushing to the grandmother’s side, and trying to revive her. She was later taken to the Chumphon Buri Hospital in Surin province, nearly 210 miles away from the village where she was pronounced dead.
A police officer in the Surin province told Agence France-Presse, “The initial assumption is that she died from heart failure – but we have to wait for the hospital’s result.” He continued, “I’m not sure if she was too excited, or if maybe she was already ill.”
Sinphet was the second athlete from Thailand to win a medal at the Rio games. On Saturday, 22-year-old Sopita Tanasan won a gold medal in the women’s 48-kilogram weightlifting competition.
In the days leading up to the competition, Sinphet’s grandmother stated to The Telegraph,” I cheer him on, fight fight! I miss my grandson and want him to be successful. He does this for the country to bring the gold medal back.”
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sinphet Kruithong and his family.
