Bangkok--3 Aug--Sports Authority of Thailand
Three Thai fighters are in luck as they have a clear chance of easing through at least semi-finals round of taekwondo competition in the 1st Asian Martial Arts Games after the draw was conducted at Indoor Stadium Hua Mark on August 1, 2009.
The chance of winning the gold medal for Thai fans of Beijing Olympic silver medalist Buttree Puadpong in the women’s finweight division is brighter than the other teammates as the rivals from Korea and Vietnam are in the bottom line.
Buttree takes on Myanmar exponent in the first round and if the win is possible, the Thai athlete will face the athlete from Pakistan in the round of last eight.
In the men’s finweight class, Jierranat Nakawirot also received an easy task as if the 2008 Asian champion beats Kazakh fighter in the first round, he will move to face opponent from Bhutan in the round of last 16.
In the heavyweight division, Ratrakorn Prasopsuk, former World Champion, has automatically qualified for bronze medal without dropping a sweat when there were only four competitors competing in this event.
If she beats her Korean opponent Oh Min Aung in the semi-final, she will then face the winner from the match between Sahara Eka from Indonesia and Karimova Ejenniya from Uzbekistan.
Lerd Nijtheranon, secretary general of the Taekwando Association of Thailand and manager of the Thai Taekwando national team was satisfied with the results of the drawing ceremony.
“The draw was favourable for Thai team. There is a possibility that Thai athletes will reach the final round or even win the gold medal. We are also pleased with result of the women heavyweight’s drawing as Rapatkorn is assured with a bronze medal since there are only four competitors competing due to the withdrawal of competitor.
“We wish Raphatkorn do her best in match against her Korean opponent as she will then reach the final. We believe in her capability,” said Lerd.
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