Paralympic athletes pay respects to King Rama IX
Jutinan Bhirombhakdi, chairman of the Paralympic Committee of Thailand, led the Paralympic contingent to pay respects to HM the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej before the Royal Urn at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall inside the Grand Palace on Wednesday.
The Thailand's Paralympic contingent performed brilliantly at the last year's Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to return with a record 18 medals including six gold and six silver medals to finish 23rd place at the medal table, their best finish ever in Paralympics history since Thailand made their debut efforts at the 1984 Summer Paralympics, co-hosted by the United Kingdom and the United States of America. There, a total of four Thai athletes with disabilities returned empty-handed.
The contingent included wheelchair-bound Prawat Wahoram, the best Thai athlete with disability who has so far collected a total of seven gold medals in Paralympics including two in Rio de Janeiro, Pattaya Tadtong, double boccia gold medallist in London in 2012, Saichon Konjen, Rawat Tana, wheelchair fencer Saysunee Jana, who claimed gold in Athens and London in 2008 and 2012 respectively, and Somchai Doungkaew, the only Thai swimmer who won gold at the Paralympics in 2000.
Jutinan revealed that the Thailand's Paralympic contingent would like to mourn the passing of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej as the much-beloved monarch was a sportsman model of all Thai athletes.
"King Bhumibol Adulyadej had greatly supported and boosted Thai athletes morale. He was our spiritual anchor and loved by Thai people from all walks of life. His dedication and profound sacrifice for the benefits of the country are deeply appreciated. We all will carry on King Bhumibol's legacies and learn from his advice," Jutinan said.
Prawat also said exactly the same thing, adding that he intended to follow in King Bhumibol's footsteps and will bring fame and reputations to the Kingdom in future competitions to present as an act of royal charity to HM the late King.
Saysunee admitted that the passing of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej has become the greatest loss of all Thai people.
"I've never felt so sad before. This is the greatest loss in my life. My last duty as an athlete of the greatest King is done today after I had a chance to pay respects to King Bhumibol. I will do my best to be a good athlete and make the country proud with my future successes," the wheelchair fencer said.
