Tough task awaits Thai boxers at Asiad
Officials feel presence of tough rivals could make two-gold target difficult, writes Hanif Hassan
After a string of disappointing results, Thailand’s boxers are once again faced with a daunting task as they bid to deliver the two promised Asian Games gold medals and regain the faith of country’s disenchanted fans. With Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan fielding strong squads in the Games in Indonesia, Thailand are attempting to tone down everyone’s expectations.
Somchai Poonsawat, technical chief of the Thailand Boxing Association, has already acknowledged that the country’s fighters will have their work cut out when the boxing battles take place in Indonesia from Aug 24-Sept 1.
“We would have to win a gold medal or else we can shelve our plans for joining the winners’ circle again at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Somchai.
The Thai boxing has been in a decline since the 2012 London Olympics where the country won only one medal in the sport.
It was the first time that Thailand failed to win an Olympic gold medal in the discipline since 1996 when boxer Somluck Kamsing became the Kingdom’s first-ever Olympic champion.
It became worse four years later in Rio de Janeiro where Thailand failed to win a medal in the boxing ring for the first time since 1976 when Payao Poontarat became the country’s first-ever Olympic medallist with a bronze in Montreal.
Somchai said that at the 2018 Asian Games Thailand had a better chance of winning gold in women’s boxing as “the number of competitors is pretty low”.
The Kingdom will be sending a total of 10 pugilists to Indonesia — seven for men’s and three for women’s competition.
Thailand’s top bet for gold at the Asian Games continues to be 28-year-old Wuttichai Masuk.
Wuttichai will be under more pressure than any other member of the Thai boxing team as he will be attempting to retain his 64kg title.
Wuttichai, a former winner of an Asian Championship title, was the only Thai boxer to make a contribution towards Thailand’s 12-gold haul at the Incheon Games four years ago.
“I am hoping for another Asian Games gold medal, but I can’t guarantee success this time round,” said Wuttichai.
The Buri Ram native added: “It isn’t easy anymore. I’ll definitely try my best but there are too many strong boxers out there now.”
Wuttichai will, at some point, come across his biggest challenger Ikboljon Kholdarov, the reigning world amateur champion and the No.2 ranked boxer from Uzbekistan.
Among the other contenders aiming to dethrone Wuttichai will be Bekdaulet Ibragimov, the two-time world series winner from Kazakhstan.
Besides Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, fighters from China and India are also likely to make their presence felt in the Games.
As for the other members of the men’s team, Wuttichai Yurachai is hoping for success in the 49kg class, Yuthapong Thongdee is preparing to excel in the 52kg division, and experienced Chatchai Butdee and Rutchakarn Jantrong will carry the Thai hopes in the 56kg and 60kg classes.
In the heavier divisions, Saylom Ardee will take part in the 69kg and Apisit Khankhok-khruea will participate in the 75kg events.
Wuttichai Masuk and Chatchai are Thailand’s only two boxers who won gold medals at the 2017 SEA Games.
On the women’s side, Thailand’s main competitors will be China, Vietnam and India but Mongolians are also capable of springing a few surprises.
Thailand are pinning their hopes on Juthamas Raksat to claim the top honours in the women’s 51kg division, but latest report from the Asian Foxing Federation suggest a tough outing for the fighter nicknamed “Nong Wan”.
Kazakhstan have entered Nazym Kyzaibay, the world’s top-ranked boxer in the women’s 48kg class with two world titles to her credit in the same weight division, in the 51kg class.
The two other Thai women to qualify for the Games are Nilawan Taesasueb (57kg) and Sudaporn Seesondee (60kg), who took part in the 2014 Asian Games.
The Thai coaching staff are also expecting a good show from Sudaporn, claiming that she is the “most match-ready” member of the team at the moment.
The men’s and women’s boxing teams are trained by Cubans Julian Ricardo Cedeno and Juan Fontanills respectively.
“The overall picture of our team looks good,” said Fontanills.
“I am confident that they will win medals at the Asian Games.”