World Transplant Games - Petanque

World Transplant Games; Durban

Tuesday 30 July

Petanque

It was an all Thai affair in the World Transplant Games Petanque in Durban over the last two days, with the team from the Far East dominating the games claiming seven golds, six silvers and three bronzes in the singles and doubles.

Petanque, most commonly known as ‘boule’ took place at the picturesque setting of People’s Park with the iconic Moses Mabhida as the back drop. 134 competitors participated from 22 countries in the two day event. The biggest contingents from the participating countries were Thailand, France, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America and Australia.

First time petanque participant, former professional Rugby League player, Dave Clarke from Liverpool had a blast competing in the event, “It was very good,” he said. “Lady Luck was on my side, and I just got through my first round. She stuck with me for the remainder of the day and I am surprised even myself with getting a bronze.”

Clarke who has mucked around with petanque on the beach back home with his kids had a kidney transplant in 2001, and is participating in his sixth World Transplant Games. This is the first time that he has competed in a petanque competition.

 63 year old, Somyot Akapaiboon from Thailand has a busy week at the games, having competed in the singles and doubles in the petanque; he takes on the challenge of lawn bowls tomorrow (Wednesday), golf on Thursday and Table Tennis on Saturday.

He is off to a flying start with silver in the singles and he followed up his performance with a bronze in the doubles today, “It was very good. I enjoyed the event a lot. My partner, Tanawat Kowchalad, and I were very happy with our result today! He got gold yesterday, so we are both very happy.”

Akapaiboon had a kidney transplant in 1999, “I can remember the day like it was yesterday. The date was 30 September 1999, I had my transplant at Siriras Hospital and my life transformed. Here I am today competing in five events.”

History was made with the staging of this event in South Africa, “This is the biggest petanque event this country has ever hosted, not only for transplant recipients but abled bodies as well.” enthused event organiser Richard Siedle.

“We had eight South Africans participating and they did better than expected, we got two silver medals and our countrymen relished participating in the international event.” Siedle said. The local petanque enthusiast formed the only petanque club in Durban, the Club de Petanque de Durban, 12 years ago and claims that there are 20 active participants that participate. “I would love to see this game grow, it is perfect for any age, and it doesn’t’ cost a lot of money.”

The municipality created 40 courts especially for the games, which amounts to a space of a soccer field. “With such a number of participants we needed to accommodate them all and this required a large area. The courts were fantastic.” concluded Sielde.

World Transplant Games

Durban

Monday 29 July

Petanque Singles

Results

Men 18 – 29

1 Trevin Ray (United States of America), 2 Kurt Wiltcher (United States of America), 3 James Reynolds (Ireland), 4 Tomi Syvajarvi (Finland)

Men 30 – 39

1 Siam Sukchan (Thailand), 2 Craig Sweeny (New Zealand), 3 Phaiban Saengusuwin (Thailand), 4 Nithiroj Phunrum (Thailand)

Women 30 – 39

1 Paranee Sarttraprasert (Thailand), 2 Lan Zheng (China), 3 Irma Toth (Hungary), 4 Stephanie Kleusermans (Belgium)

Men 40 – 49

1 Kamron Kailas (Thailand), 2 Mario Skaffer (South Africa), 3 Dave Clarke (Great Britain and Northern Ireland), 4 Yupin Kaewhoengkha (Thailand)

Women 40 – 49

1 Suk Han Chang (Hong Kong), 2 Thanawee Pramounsakthana (Thailand), 3 Sara Ford (New Zealand), 4 Kum Ramsoot (Thailand)

Men 50 – 59

1 Istban Urban (Hungary), 2 Thongyoo Ngoensuk (Thailand), 3 SuiLang Lai (Hong Kong), 4 Serge Dubois (France)

Women 50 – 59

1 Kimberley Stahlbaum (Canada), 2 Anette Wiren (Sweden), 3 Sasitorm Thepsutha (Thailand), 4 Ilona Szekelyne (Hungary)

Men 60 – 69

1 Tanawat Kowchalad (Thailand), 2 Somyot Akapaiboon (Thailand), 3 Leif Eckerman (Sweden), 4 Thongchai Panchabuse (Thailand)

Women 60 – 69

1 Zdravka Zizic (Slovenia), 2 Marion Oldfield (South Africa), 3 Heather Brunalli (Australia), 4 Wai Ping Leung (Hong Kong)

Women 70+

1 Esther Scott (Australia)

Tuesday 30 July

Petanque Doubles

Men Under 30

1 Benjamin Pacey / Joey Matthew (Great Britain and Northern Ireland), 2 Jean Azeman / Marvin Krukoff (France), 3 Lamond Chu / Tai Chi Yan (Hong Kong)

Men 30 – 49

1 Nitiroj Punrum / Nirandr Ouiswa (Thailand), 2 Kamron Kailas / Siam Sukchan (Thailand), 3 Fabian Toutlemonde / Christopher Raimbault (France), 4 Kosaseng Suphadis / Phaiboon Saensuwun (Thailand)

Women 30 – 49

1 Thanawee Pramounsakthana / Pranee Suttroprasat (Thailand), 2 Kimberley Stahlbaum / Kelly Kleinschmidt (Canada), 3 Pui Jee So / Sukhan Chang (Hong Kong)

Men 50 +

1 Yoochaun Vitshayo / Thonavoo Noensulk (Thailand), 2 Supphakorn Kriangkraivanit / Paisal Chartpitak (Thailand), 3 = Laszlo Katona / Istvan Urban (Hungary), 3 = Tanawat Kowchalad / Somyot Akapaiboon (Thailand)

Women 50 +

1 Catherine Murphy / Bridie Nicholson (Ireland), 2 Yoonuch Jiraporn / Sasitorn Thepsutha (Thailand), 3 Janet Brady / Heather Fisher (Canada)