Prawat’s future under scrutiny, Pongsakorn happy with reception
Fitness a major worry for ageing star Prawat
Following a prolific trip to Rio de Janiero, Prawat Wahoram is not sure if he will be able to compete in the next Paralympic Games in 2020 in Tokyo.
Prawat emerged as the country’s most successful disabled athlete after claiming two titles at the 2016 Rio Games to bring his personal haul to seven gold medals overall after five appearances in the Paralympics.
The Kingdom claimed six gold, six silver and six bronze medals at the 2016 tournament which ended on Sunday, making it the country’s biggest haul in a single Paralympics. Thailand’s previous best was five gold medals at Sydney 2000.
Although there is no age limit for the quadrennial tournament, the 35-yearold Prawat, who made his Games debut in 2000, said he was not sure if he could stay fit for four more years.
“I am not sure if I can be competitive for the next Games,” he said.
A winner of two gold medals at Sydney 2000, the Sa Kaeo-born Prawat took two more titles in Athens and claimed one at Beijing 2008. However, his exploits at London 2012 were limited to only two silver medals.
“I was discouraged and thought of retiring after failing to win the gold medal in London four years ago,” he said.
“It felt great to get back to a winning circle in the Rio Games.”
While Prawat is uncertain about his future, his successor Pangsakorn Paeyo, 19, is expected to shine in years to come.
Pongsakorn, a Khon Kaen native, is still amazed at his successful Paralympic debut in Rio, where he captured two gold and an equal number of silver medals.
He said that success happened not only because of himself but his teammates and sponsors also played a major role in it.
He was also impressed with the warm welcome upon his arrival in Bangkok yesterday.
“It is a great feeling to get such a big welcome from the Thais,” said Prawat.
“For me, my achievements in the Rio Games were beyond my expectations.”
Thanks to his success, Pongsakorn is set to pocket cash rewards worth about 27 million baht.
“I do not have any plans on how to spend the money,” he said. “Most probably I will just keep it for the future.”
The 45 Thai athletes and accompanying officials last night had a reception at the headquarters of Singha Coperation, the main sponsor of the Paralympic Committee of Thailand, which is headed by Chutinant Bhirombhakdi.
The company has announced a bonus of one million baht each for every Thai gold medallist, 500,000 baht each for the silver medallists and 300,000 baht each for the bronze medallists.
Moreover, under the National Sports Development Fund’s bonus scheme for the Paralympics, a gold medal is worth 7.2 million, a silver 4.8 million baht and a bronze three million baht.
Chutinant said in the next two years, more athletes will be recruited and trained to take part in the qualifying events for the 2020 Paralympic Games.