Wuttichai silences Lim and Korea

Light welterweight Wuttichai Masuk helped Thailand win the first and only gold medal in the boxing competition with a hard-fought victory over South Korea’s Lim Hyun-chul yesterday. 

With his team-mates falling by wayside in both men’s and women’s events, the 24-year-old Wuttichai, regarded as the country’s best bet in the ring, was the sole Thai fighter from the country’s nine boxers to fight his way through to the final in the 64kg class at Seonhak Gymnasium.   

With the weight of the whole country’s expectation on his shoulders, Wuttichai’s task to salvage the Thai boxing team’s pride looked even more daunting as he came up against the South Korean. The Thai could have been forgiven for approaching the bout with a sense of trepidation that he might fall victim to judging decision in favour of an athlete from the host country, which has long been an enigma in the sport. 

The fighter, who hails from Buriram province, though, did not let the Thai people down and managed to keep the country’s proud record of winning at least a gold medal from boxing at the Games since 1990 intact with a hard-fought victory.

Roared on by the home crowd at the venue, it was the Korean who started aggressively, leaving the Thai to try to thwart him with counter punches. Wuttichai’s situation got worse in the next round when he suffered a point deduction for clutching his opponent.  

Entering the final round, the Thai needed to summon all his strength to make a late push to turn the bout in his favour. His efforts paid off handsomely as he was declared the winner with a split decision, much to the delight of Thai fans. The sight of Wuttichai bursting into tears of joy in the embrace of his coaches after the fight clearly showed the amount of pressure he had to deal with. 

Wuttichai, who claimed only a bronze medal at the previous Games in Guangzhou, admitted that he felt under pressure facing the home fighter and he was delighted to be able to claim what he described as “the biggest medal” of his career.

“I was trying to box as the coach told me but it required a lot of patience as well. I even had a point deducted in the second round but I eventually won the bout.

“This medal means a lot to me. I’m grateful to the association, my parents, other members of my family and the Thai people, who supported me. Before I came here, I made a vow in front of “Khao Yai” spirit that I would present a pair of elephant dolls if I won the gold medal. Now, I would definitely fulfil it when I get back home,” said a tearful Wuttichai.    

Thailand Boxing Association president Pichai Chunhavajira said Wuttichai’s victory, which will get him Bt3 million from the National Sport Development Fund and the TBA boss himself, was clean and clear.   

“Up against the home fighter, we showed clearly that we’re better. I’m a bit concerned, though, after South Korea won two gold medals prior to Wuttichai’s bout. It came as a huge relief when we eventually won it. The association would put all the stops in supporting and producing more fighters for the Olympic Games in 2016.” 

Welterweight Apichet Saensit, the only other Thai boxer who claimed a medal in South Korea with his bronze in the 69kg class, confirmed he would remain with the national team, dismissing speculation that he would turn professional after the tournament.  

“It’s my first Games medal. I’ll try to keep improving myself in order to qualify for the Olympics. I had no plan to become a pro anytime soon. I would keep boxing at amateur level,” said Apichet.