1. Early Life and Background
Surodchana Khambao's early life and introduction to weightlifting laid the foundation for her successful career.
1.1. Birth and Early Life
Surodchana Khambao was born on December 23, 1999, in Chiang Khong, a district within Chiang Rai, Thailand. She is affectionately known by her nickname, "Oil" (ออยOiThai). Beyond her athletic career, she holds the military rank of Lance Corporal (สิบตรีหญิงSib Tri YingThai).
1.2. Introduction to Weightlifting
Khambao began her journey in weightlifting at a young age. Her initial involvement in the sport was encouraged by a physical education teacher at her school. Recognizing her potential, she left her hometown to pursue advanced training at a dedicated sports academy located in Chonburi Province, where she further developed her skills and prepared for competitive weightlifting.
2. Career
Surodchana Khambao's career spans numerous international competitions, from her junior years to becoming a prominent senior athlete.
2.1. Junior Career
Khambao's junior career began to flourish in 2016 when she was selected to represent the Thai youth national team. In October of that year, she competed at the World Youth Championships held in Georgetown, Malaysia, where she earned a bronze medal. Following this, in November 2016, she achieved a significant victory by winning the Asian Youth Championships in Tokyo, Japan. Her success continued into 2018 when she dominated the women's 117 lb (53 kg) event at the 2018 Junior World Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, securing all three gold medals in snatch, clean & jerk, and total lifts.
2.2. Senior Career
Khambao was selected for the Thai national team in 2017, marking her transition to senior-level competition.
2.2.1. Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
In September 2017, Surodchana Khambao participated in the women's 117 lb (53 kg) event at the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. She finished the competition in 5th place.
2.2.2. Asian Games
At the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, Khambao achieved a notable milestone by winning the bronze medal in the women's 117 lb (53 kg) event. Her successful lifts included 190 lb (86 kg) in the snatch and 254 lb (115 kg) in the clean & jerk, resulting in a total of 443 lb (201 kg).
2.2.3. World Weightlifting Championships
Khambao has made significant impacts at the World Weightlifting Championships. In 2021, she claimed the gold medal in the women's 108 lb (49 kg) event at the championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She lifted 190 lb (86 kg) in the snatch and 231 lb (105 kg) in the clean & jerk, for a total of 421 lb (191 kg). In 2023, she competed in the women's 108 lb (49 kg) event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where she finished in 4th place with a snatch of 192 lb (87 kg), a clean & jerk of 240 lb (109 kg), and a total of 432 lb (196 kg).
2.2.4. IWF World Cup
In 2024, Khambao competed in the 2024 IWF World Cup held in Phuket, Thailand. She placed 5th in the women's 108 lb (49 kg) event, achieving a snatch of 187 lb (85 kg) and a clean & jerk of 240 lb (109 kg), for a total of 428 lb (194 kg).
2.2.5. Asian Weightlifting Championships
Khambao has participated in multiple Asian Weightlifting Championships. In April 2017, she finished 4th in the women's 117 lb (53 kg) event at the championships in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, with a total lift of 386 lb (175 kg) (snatch: 176 lb (80 kg), clean & jerk: 209 lb (95 kg)). In 2023, she won the bronze medal in the women's 108 lb (49 kg) event at the 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Jinju, South Korea, with a total of 441 lb (200 kg) (snatch: 198 lb (90 kg), clean & jerk: 243 lb (110 kg)). In 2024, at the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, she placed 4th in the women's 108 lb (49 kg) event, with a total of 419 lb (190 kg) (snatch: 185 lb (84 kg), clean & jerk: 234 lb (106 kg)).
2.2.6. Olympic Games
Surodchana Khambao achieved an Olympic medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. She secured the bronze medal in the women's 108 lb (49 kg) event. Her performance included a snatch of 194 lb (88 kg) and a clean & jerk of 247 lb (112 kg), totaling 441 lb (200 kg). Notably, she finished 2.2 lb (1 kg) ahead of India's Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who placed fourth.
2.2.7. Southeast Asian Games
In 2021, Khambao earned a gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games held in Hanoi, Vietnam, competing in the women's 108 lb (49 kg) category.
3. Achievements
Surodchana Khambao's career is marked by a series of significant achievements across various international weightlifting competitions.
3.1. Medal Summary
Surodchana Khambao has won multiple medals in major international weightlifting events:
- Olympic Games:**
- Bronze: 2024 Paris (108 lb (49 kg))
- World Weightlifting Championships:**
- Gold: 2021 Tashkent (108 lb (49 kg))
- Asian Games:**
- Bronze: 2018 Jakarta (117 lb (53 kg))
- Asian Weightlifting Championships:**
- Bronze: 2023 Jinju (108 lb (49 kg))
- Southeast Asian Games:**
- Gold: 2021 Hanoi (108 lb (49 kg))
- Junior World Weightlifting Championships:**
- Gold: 2018 Tashkent (117 lb (53 kg))
- World Youth Championships:**
- Bronze: 2016 Georgetown (Youth)
- Asian Youth Championships:**
- Gold: 2016 Tokyo (Youth)
3.2. Competition Results
| Year | Venue | Weight | Snatch (kg) | Clean & Jerk (kg) | Total | Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 | Rank | |||||
| Summer Olympics | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | Paris, France | 108 lb (49 kg) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 194 lb (88 kg) | - | 243 lb (110 kg) | 247 lb (112 kg) | 251 lb (114 kg) | - | 441 lb (200 kg) | - |
| World Championships | ||||||||||||
| 2021 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | 108 lb (49 kg) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 190 lb (86 kg) | - | 227 lb (103 kg) | 231 lb (105 kg) | 243 lb (110 kg) | - | 421 lb (191 kg) | - |
| 2023 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 108 lb (49 kg) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 5 | 236 lb (107 kg) | 240 lb (109 kg) | 240 lb (109 kg) | 4 | 432 lb (196 kg) | 4 |
| IWF World Cup | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | Phuket, Thailand | 108 lb (49 kg) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 7 | 234 lb (106 kg) | 240 lb (109 kg) | 245 lb (111 kg) | 5 | 428 lb (194 kg) | 5 |
| Asian Games | ||||||||||||
| 2018 | Jakarta, Indonesia | 117 lb (53 kg) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 196 lb (89 kg) | - | 236 lb (107 kg) | 243 lb (110 kg) | 254 lb (115 kg) | - | 443 lb (201 kg) | - |
| Asian Championships | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | Ashgabat, Turkmenistan | 117 lb (53 kg) | 168 lb (76 kg) | 176 lb (80 kg) | 176 lb (80 kg) | 4 | 209 lb (95 kg) | 223 lb (101 kg) | 223 lb (101 kg) | 4 | 386 lb (175 kg) | 4 |
| 2023 | Jinju, South Korea | 108 lb (49 kg) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 198 lb (90 kg) | 4 | 243 lb (110 kg) | 247 lb (112 kg) | 247 lb (112 kg) | 4 | 441 lb (200 kg) | - |
| 2024 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | 108 lb (49 kg) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 190 lb (86 kg) | - | 227 lb (103 kg) | 227 lb (103 kg) | 234 lb (106 kg) | - | 419 lb (190 kg) | 4 |
4. Personal Life
Outside of her athletic pursuits, Surodchana Khambao is known by her nickname "Oil" (ออยOiThai). She also holds the military rank of Lance Corporal (สิบตรีหญิงSib Tri YingThai) within the Thai military.
5. Evaluation and Impact
Surodchana Khambao's career achievements, particularly her Olympic bronze medal and World Championship gold, establish her as a prominent figure in Thai weightlifting. Her consistent performances and medal wins at major international competitions have significantly contributed to Thailand's reputation in the sport. Her success serves as an inspiration for aspiring weightlifters and athletes across Thailand, highlighting the potential for national achievement on the global stage.