An Olympic weightlifter's grandmother died in Thailand while cheering for him during his bronze-medal winning performance in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, reported the Bangkok Post. Sadly, she didn't get to see her grandson take the medal stand.
Sinphet Kruaithong, 22, made history as the first male athlete from Thailand to medal in weightlifting at the Olympics, capturing third place in the 56-kilogram, or 123-pound, division, according to Agence France-Presse.
His grandmother Subin Khongthap, though, collapsed while cheering for him in Thailand while watching the competition on television, said the Post. Her age was variously given as 82 and 84.
Family and friends had crowded together in front of the television at Kruaithong's home in Thailand, including his father; mother and grandmother, noted the Post.
During the excitement of the competition, Khongthap collapsed, regaining consciousness briefly about five minutes later and was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead about an hour after her arrival.
"The initial assumption is that she died from heart failure – but we have to wait for the hospital's result," said police officer Somwang Prangprakoan, according to AFP. "I'm not sure if she was too excited, or if maybe she was already ill."
According to Australia's News.com, Khongthap told local media before the Olympic competition that she was happy about her grandson being in Rio, even though she missed him.
"I cheer him on, fight fight," Khongthap said, per News.com. "I miss my grandson and want him to be successful. He does this for the country to bring the gold medal back."
Khongthap was expected to be cremated on Wednesday.
Kruaithong was the second athlete from Thailand to capture a medal in Rio. Sopita Tanasan, 22, won a gold medal for weightlifting in the women's 48-kilogram, or 106-pound, division on Saturday, noted the Post.