Two boxing golds for Thailand, hat-trick in sight

Atichai Phoemsap 

Three of the four Thai boxing finalists competed on Thursday, with just one, lightweight Porntip Buapa, still to fight for gold on Friday.
Despite a disappointing start, with flyweight Sarawut Sukthet being stopped by Briton Ivan Price, Thailand bounced back when 17-year-old featherweight Panpatchara Somnuek beat Jennifer Carrillo of Mexico 5-0 to grab the Kingdom’s first Youth Olympics gold medal from boxing competition.
 “I was a bit under pressure at the beginning as I have never known her before,” said the girl from Roi Et province. 
“But my coach told me to relax and stick with the game plan by punching at her body to wear her down. It was not easy to make her tired as she is so tough but in the end I proved I’m stronger,” said Panpatchara, who will receive Bt2 million prize-money from the government for her victory.
 “I’m so overwhelmed to win this historic gold for Thailand. I cannot wait to show it to the people in Roi Et,” added the teenager.
Later, heavy favourite Atichai, who won the World Youth Championships gold medal in August, lived up to expectations as he trounced Taras Bondarchuk of Ukraine 5-0 in the lightweight final.
“It was a bit tough at the beginning but when I got used to his style, things went my way,” said the 18-year-old from Nakhon Ratchasima. “I’m glad I won in a big event and I hope to keep improving.”
Thailand also won a bronze medal when Weerapon Jongjoho beat Jancen Poutoa of Samoa 5-0 in the middleweight third-place bout.
On Friday, Buapa will aim to make it a golden hat-trick for Thailand when she takes on Briton Caroline Sara Dubois.
 It has already been a successful Games for the Thai boxing team – all five representatives are sure to come home with a medal.
Going into today’s finale, Thailand have won five golds – the previous three were in taekwondo, weightlifting and golf.