Bangkok: Major General Intharat Yodbangtoey hopes for at least four gold medals for the SEA Games weightlifting team, seeing the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia as key competitors.

According to Thai News Agency, a celebratory event was held at The Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel to honor Major General Intharat Yodbangtoey, the Honorary President of the Amateur Weightlifting Association of Thailand, on his 80th birthday. The event was marked by the presence of Mrs. Busaba Yodbangtoey, advisory chair of the Weightlifting Association, along with association executives, sports executives, and Thai national weightlifting athletes, both past and present, who gathered to offer their blessings and congratulations.

The event was graced by over 10 Olympic heroes, including Kai-Paveena Thongsuk, gold medalist in Athens 2004; Kae-Prapawadee Charoenrattanatharakul, gold medalist in Beijing 2008; Nan-Sopita Thanasarn, gold medalist in Rio 2016; and Fai-Sukanya Srisurat, gold medalist in Rio 2016. These athletes regard Major General Intharat as a father figure in the world of sports.

Major General Intharat expressed his ambition to build on his success at the 2024 Olympics and aims to secure a gold medal at the 2028 LA Games. He also voiced concerns about the sports industry, particularly the lack of sufficient funding and the challenges faced by some Olympic medalists in finding employment. For the upcoming SEA Games, he has set a target for the Thai weightlifting team to clinch at least four gold medals. The weightlifting events are scheduled to take place from December 13-17 at the Chonburi Sports School.