Disciplinary panel to look into taekwondo row
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The taekwondo scandal that has gripped the country for the past week is likely to have a happy ending.
The Taekwondo Association of Thailand has set up a disciplinary committee chaired by Admiral Surawuth Maharom to investigate taekwondo star Rungrawee Khurasa’s allegation that she sustained injuries after national coach Choi Young-seok physically assaulted her when she crashed out in the first round of the recent Korea Open in Gyeongju.
She alleged her Korean mentor had punched her in the stomach several times and also hit her in the face.
Choi, who did not accompany the squad when it returned to Thailand on Thursday, has denied all the allegations.
He posted a message on his Facebook fan page stating that he has been coaching in Thailand for more than 10 years and understood its culture.
Therefore, he said it was impossible that he would punish the 23-year-old unreasonably.
He said he punished an athlete only when he found someone lacked self-discipline and failed to take responsibility for their actions.
The scandal has resulted in an avalanche of comments – including strong criticism and insults – being directed at Rungrawee on social media over fears the highly successful coach won’t return to Thailand.
If he doesn’t return, it could impact on Thailand’s future performances including at the Incheon Asian Games in South Korea in September.
As part of the investigation, relevant parties were asked to attend a meeting at the Taekwondo Association of Thailand yesterday.
A large number of reporters turned up but Rungrawee stayed away.
Her former coach Pitak Pookpun, who runs the RDC Club that Rungrawee belongs to, told reporters that she did not attend the meeting because she wanted to stop everything.
“I already have no space left for me to stand in society now,” Pitak quoted Rungrawee as saying.
There have been reports that Choi is due to return to Thailand today as he wants to fulfil his goal of seeing a Thai win an Olympic gold.
TAT vice president Pricha Tortrakul told reporters that despite the absence of Rungrawee, the investigation would continue and anyone found guilty must be punished.
