Any Thais have a medal chance at Olympics ?

[SUZIBANDIT]

You are correct, sir. It was 1996.

 

That makes it all the more incredible that he's still going.

 

Any other sports for Thais at the Olympics?

 

I see Paradorn is saying his hurt shoulder may limit him in Athens.

[Mentors]

Going for gold

 

Published on Jul 25, 2004 THE NATION

 

 

Of the 42 Thai athletes looking for glory at next month’s Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, two women weightlifters and three boxers stand the best chance of winning gold medals, according to Thai Olympic officials.

 

These five big hopes for Thai sport are weightlifters Pawina Thongsuk and Udomporn Polsak and boxers Somjitr Jongjohor, Manas Boonchamnong and Somluck Kamsing.

 

Weightlifter Pawina recently set an unofficial mark equal to the world record held by China’s Sun Ruiping in the 75kilogram category, so she is expected to make a strong showing in the 69kg or 75kg categories.

 

The other women’s weightlifter Udomporn is a strong medal hope in the 53kg category after winning two gold medals at last year’s World Championship in Vancouver.

 

In boxing, which has always been Thailand’s strongest sport at the Olympics, flyweight Somjitr is the best bet for a gold medal and is expected to follow in the footsteps of previous Olympic gold medal winners Wijan Ponlid and Somluck Kamsing.

 

Somjitr’s record includes gold medals in the 2002 Asian Games in South Korea and in the World Championships in Bangkok last year.

 

After Somjitr the next best bet for a medal is featherweight Somluck, who won the country’s first Olympic gold medal in Atlanta in 1996. However, he is getting a bit old and at 31 this will be his last big tournament.

 

The third boxing hope is lightwelterweight Manas Boonchamnong.

 

Admiral Suravudh Maharom, the chairman of Thailand’s Athens Olympic Games preparatory body, said he expects the Thai squad to win three gold medals – one each from boxing, weightlifting and taekwondo.

 

He says the squad may get another three bronze medals from boxing, weightlifting and badminton.

 

Boxing has always been Thailand’s best sport at an Olympics.

 

In the past Thailand’s boxers have won Olympic gold, silver and bronze medals. Among Thai Olympic heroes are Payao Pooltarat (first bronze in Montreal in 1976), Khaopong Sithichuchai (first silver medal in Los Angeles in 1984), Somluck Kamsing (gold medal in Atlanta in 1996) and Wijan Ponlid (gold medal in Sydney in 2000).

 

Payao became a national hero when he wan Thailand’s first Olympic medal in Montreal in 1976. He took part in the Montreal Olympics after boxing for only two years.

 

“I was just 19 at the time when I went to the Montreal Olympic Games. No one expected that I would make it,” said Payao.

 

After returning to Thailand, Payao continued his boxing career and became the WBC superflyweight world champion in 1983. However, he announced his retirement in 1984 after losing his superflyweight title to Jiro Watanabe in Osaka.

 

But Payao’s skills were not limited to the boxing ring. He later became a Democrat MP.

 

Unfortunately Payao now suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

 

His wife is planning to publish a book about his life during his glory days to help pay for his medication. The book, which does not have an official title yet, is expected to be available in August.

 

“We have huge medical bills. Some of his tablets cost about Bt400 each," said Payao’s wife, adding that he also needs physical therapy.

 

In August, 1984, Thai people got a chance to celebrate an Olympic victory again when Khaopong Sithichuchai won the kingdom’s first silver medal in the light welterweight division.

 

“It was a very special moment I’ve never forgot,” Khaopong said. “When I came home I was rather disappointed that I did not win the gold medal instead, but at least the Thai people loved me for all the effort I had made.”

 

After returning from the Olympics Khaopong decided to abandon boxing. The lightwelterweight Olympian has followed other pursuits like making an historical TV drama with other well known boxers like 1996 gold medal winning Olympian Somluck Kamsing and Atlanta bronze medallist Vichai Rachanont.

 

“I decided to end my boxing career straight away and started a more steady job as a public relations officer. I like this ordinary career, although it was quite different from what I used to do,” said Khaopong.

 

Khaopong is now a public relations officer for the Osotsapa football club.

 

At the 2000 Sydney Olympics Thailand celebrated its second Olympic gold medallist, Wijan Ponlid, who defeated Bulat Jumadilov, the Atlanta Olympic silver medallist from Kazakhstan, in the flyweight division.

 

“When I arrived in Sydney I told myself I would win a medal,” Wijan said.

 

“When I returned home, I experienced the most touching moment of my life. Winning a medal has changed my life, more than money and a better life, it is fame I have earned,” Wijan added.

 

After the Sydney Olympics, Wijan returned home and tried his hand at coaching the Thai national team boxers who will go to this year’s Olympics in Athens.

 

He is now a police lieutenant in Nakhon Pathom province.

 

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong, Pathomakanok Padkuntod

 

The Nation

[sayjann]

strange to think of a Female Thai weightlifter....

 

can't say i have seen many Thai Women who were capable of lifting anything heavier than their Ladydrink...... ::

[Mentors]

sayjann said:

strange to think of a Female Thai weightlifter....

 

can't say i have seen many Thai Women who were capable of lifting anything heavier than their Ladydrink...... ::

 

I saw some on the last Asian Games on TV. These females looks like bulldogs.

I remember me about one female from Myanmar on this games, she looks like a human (war) tank ::

A nightmare must be a night with one of that ladies. ::

[Guest]

It is interesting that after their successes in the Olympics these boxers never felt the urge to turn professional. Though in Somluck's case, if he was given USD million then I completely understand. I doubt that it's easy to make that much money in pro boxing in Thailand until you've won a legit world championship (and even then.....)

 

Of course in Australia, England and the US if you can create a big enough buzz about a boxer then you can feed him chumps in front of an adoring public and make a fortune without ever seeing your cash cow tested. (see Anthony Mundine, Audley Harrison, Ricky Hatton, Hector Camacho Jr etc)