Kaew will take the ticket to Rio, says coach Taweewat
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National boxing coach Taweewat Islam believes veteran Kaew Pongprayoon’s vast experience will come in handy when he attempts to secure an Olympic berth in the third and final leg of the qualifying tournament in Baku, Azerbaijan, from June 14 to 26.
The 36-year-old Kaew came out of retirement earlier this month in pursuit of Olympic glory, nearly four years since hanging up his gloves after claiming a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
According to Taweewat, the Kamphaeng Phet-born fighter is getting back into shape after undergoing training for a month.
“Kaew’s weight kept dropping because he’s really determined to go to Rio. His ring experience and a spell as coach will help him. He meticulously studied his opponents. With a month and a half to go, I’m really confident that Kaew will claim the berth in the 49kg class,” said Taweewat.
Should Kaew come good, the diminutive boxer would become the country’s fourth fighter to clinch the Olympic berth after Wuthichai Masuk, Chatchai Butdee and Sailom Ardee.
