Before becoming a silver medal hero in men's weightlifting at the 2024 Olympics, "Khao Fang" Thiraphong Silachai's path was not easy. He had been discouraged many times, but his determination and true intention to build a house for his father was the driving force that motivated him to fight until today. Another history of Thai male weightlifting at the Olympics when "Khaofang" Thiraphong Silachai, 21 years old, 61 kg weight class, lifted a clean and jerk for the 3rd time, passing the weight of 171 kg, including the snatch weight of 303 kg, successfully winning a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, which he will compete for the first time, showing the image of the 2022 world champion from the 55 kg weight class, even though he moved up a weight class. It was the first Olympic medal for the Amateur Weightlifting Association of Thailand in 8 years and the second male weightlifter to win a medal at the Olympic Games. It brought cheers and brought joy to Thais all over the country, especially relativ es in Ban Krabao Duea, Khun Han District, Sisaket Province, my hometown and the national weightlifting camp in Chiang Mai Province, who also gathered to cheer in front of the screen. Khao Fang opens up about using the prize money to build a house for her father, thanking her family for raising her well. Currently, there is over 10 million baht in prize money. Building a house for his father wasn't something he just thought of after winning the Olympic silver medal. It's something Khaofang has always told those close to him, which has been a major driving force for him to be who he is today. Khaofang lost his mother when he was 2 years old. His father lived with his aunt and they didn't have a house of their own. He made a living by driving a tricycle selling grilled coconuts. When he was in elementary school, he was a football player for the school. He changed his path to being a weightlifter in high school at Ratchaprachanukroh 29 School in Sisaket Province. Close relatives said that Khao Fang was born pr ematurely. As a child, she was thin and not very strong. She was not a stubborn person. She intended to do something and succeeded. Therefore, she was determined and devoted herself very hard. She always thought that she did not have a home. She felt discouraged and gave up many times because of her injuries. Relatives had to comfort her to be patient and use goals to remind her. Five years before she lost her grandmother, she said when she was paying her respects to her body that she would make her grandmother proud. While the father was so excited that he could not sleep, he felt proud of his son. He got a silver medal, which was beyond his expectations. The lack of rest caused the father to faint and had to be hospitalized, but it was not a cause for concern. When the children succeeded in achieving their goals, Khao Fang's father and relatives went to inform the grandparents' shrine and the large rubber tree, the sacred objects that the villagers respect and worship, that they would bring offerings as t hey had vowed. Source : Thai News Agency