Fabulous four set stage for a massive Thai haul
Hopes rise for more golds in Buenos Aires
Four Thai boxers reached the finals at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires after putting on dominating shows in the ring on Tuesday.
The quartet are Sarawut Sukthet (men’s 52kg), Atichai Phoemsap (men’s 60kg), Panpatchara Somnuek (women’s 57kg) and Porntip Buapa (women’s 60kg).
They are assured of at least silver medals but they all are confident of securing the top honours.
There are five Thai fighters at the third Youth Olympics and only Weerapon Jongjoho failed to reach the gold-medal round after his loss in the last four of the men’s 75kg class.
Weerapon, nephew of 2008 Olympic boxing champion Somjit, will now fight for a bronze medal.
Winning a bronze at the Youth Olympics is not too bad as it comes with a 500,000 baht bonus from the government.
Under the National Sports Development Fund’s bonus scheme for the Youth Olympics, a gold medal is worth two million baht, a silver one million baht and a bronze 500,000 baht.
Thailand have already met their target of winning three gold medals in the tournament which ends tomorrow.
The Thai champions so far are taekwondo fighter Kanthida Saengsin, weightlifter Supatchanin Khamhaeng and golfers Atthaya Thitikul and Vanchai Luangnitikul in the mixed team event.
At the Ocean Pavillion on Tuesday, Sarawut defeated Luiz Gabriel de Oliverira of Brazil 4-1 and will face Great Britain’s Ivan Price in the men’s 52kg final.
“I fought according to our plan,” said Sarawut.
“There should not be a problem for me in the final against Ivan Price although he has height and reach advantages. I want to take home the gold medal.”
Atichai used his aggressive style to beat Azerbaijan’s Nurlan Safarov 5-0 and will fight Taras Bondarchuk of Ukraine in the men’s 60kg final.
“I am very happy to advance to the final,” Atichai said.
“I want to win the gold medal for my parents.”
Panpatchara beat Dearbhla Rooney from Ireland 4-1 and will be up against hard-punching Jennifer Carrillo of Mexico
in the women’s 57kg showdown.
“I fought according to the coach’s [Juan Fontanills’] instructions. I am confident that I will win again in the final,” she said.
Porntip defeated Australia’s Emma Lawson 5-0 to set up a final clash with Caroline Dubois of Great Britain.
“I did not have any problems. I don’t think there will be a problem for me in the final. I want to win the gold medal for all Thais,” said Porntip.