SISAKET — Theeraphong Silachai, known as “Fang,” a national weightlifting athlete from Thailand, earned a silver medal in the men’s 61 kg weight category at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Theeraphong and brings immense pride to his local community in the northeastern region of Thailand.
Many athletes from the Isan region, including Theeraphong, hail from families facing financial hardships. These challenging circumstances often drive their determination and resilience in strength-focused sports like weightlifting and boxing. Theeraphong’s journey to the Olympics is rooted in his humble beginnings; his father supported the family by selling aromatic coconuts from a motorcycle sidecar in Sisaket Province.
In a statement following his Olympic success, Theeraphong expressed his desire to use the prize money to build a house for his father, ensuring he has a comfortable home. He mentioned that he has not yet decided how to use the remaining funds, likely opting to save them for future needs.
On August 8, Theeraphong’s father, Sema Silachai, spoke in Krabaudeu Village, Krahwan Subdistrict, Khun Han District, where family and villagers gathered to celebrate his son’s victory with pride and joy. During the festivities, Sema, along with the villagers, performed a traditional ceremony at the village’s sacred shrine, where he had prayed for his son’s success.
Sema shared his emotions, recalling the sleepless nights and the anxiety he felt while watching the live broadcast of the competition. He admitted to being concerned about whether his son could compete against larger athletes from other nations. However, his fears were dispelled as Theeraphong surpassed expectations, winning a silver medal—a performance Sema initially hoped would at best secure bronze. His first priority was to hold a traditional ceremony to uplift his son’s spirits.
Theeraphong’s aunt, Sa-ngiam Muangsi, 66, recounted how her nephew had been passionate about weightlifting since childhood. She noted that he began his training early, participating in the sport from the third grade, with guidance from a physical education teacher at his elementary school. Sa-ngiam expressed her happiness and pride in her nephew’s dedication and hopes he continues to strive for excellence.
Born on May 29, 2003, Theeraphong completed his elementary education at Krabautalung Wittaya School in Sisaket Province before continuing his studies at Rajaprajanugroh 29 School in the same province. He is currently in his second year of studies at the National Sports College, Sisaket Campus, majoring in Sports Science and Health. Theeraphong began weightlifting seriously in 2015 during his time at Rajaprajanugroh 29 School and later joined the national team training camp in Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province, in 2017.
Theeraphong’s athletic career is marked by several notable achievements, including a silver medal in the men’s 61 kg category at the 2024 World Championships in Phuket, Thailand, a qualifying round for the Olympics. He also earned two bronze medals in the same category at the 2023 Asian Championships in South Korea and two gold medals in the men’s 55 kg category at the 2022 World Championships in Colombia.
