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SEPTEMBER 8 , 2000 VOL. 26 NO. 35 | SEARCH ASIAWEEK
By ROGER CRUTCHLEY Bangkok Thailand's name does not crop up too often in discussions of Olympic triumphs — and for good reason. Over the years, the country has won only one gold medal, one silver and four bronzes, all in boxing. For most Thai competitors, qualifying for the Olympics is an achievement in itself. However, buoyed by a better showing than expected in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, in which the hosts bagged 24 golds, there are some hopes that at Sydney 2000 Thailand's representatives will be doing more than simply showing the flag. For all the undoubted enthusiasm, the only sport in which medals can be seriously considered is still boxing. Somluck Kamsing won a featherweight gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and became a national hero. Despite a sometimes ambivalent attitude to training, Somluck, 29, will be back in action in Sydney and is talking of a repeat performance. "I promise to train hard because I want to win the gold for the Thai people," he says. Much of the pugilistic success has been attributed to Cuban coach Juan Fontanils, who has crafted the boxers into all-round fighters, newly equipped with a sound defense and their natural attacking skills enhanced. Fontanils believes at least two of his boys are capable of winning. A most unlikely discipline in which Thailand has an outside chance of a medal is women's weightlifting. Khassaraporn Suta broke the world record in the 58-kg category in 1997, but in the 1998 Asian Games had to settle for a bronze. The feeling is that Khassaraporn, 29, and her equally powerful sidekick, Taengmo Muangpho, 19, will once again play second fiddle to the formidable Chinese team. Another long shot is marksman Tavarit Matcharcheep, 25, who surprised everyone when he broke the world record in the air rifle at the Asian Shooting Championships in Langkawi, Malaysia, last month. This was enough to book him a berth in Sydney, but whether he can handle the pressure of the Olympics is another matter. Two Thai competitors who have a real chance of making their presence felt, but probably not as far as the medals stage, are the mixed-doubles tennis pairing of Tamarine Tanasugarn, 23, and Paradorn Srichaphan, 20. The Thais made a considerable impact in Australia in January this year, when they stormed into the final of the Hopman Cup before going down to the tough South Africans, Wayne Ferreira and Amanda Coetzer. Shortly after, Tamarine, now ranked 43 in the world, made it to the third round of the Australian Open. With her new-found confidence, she is capable of competing with the best in the world. Given a favorable draw in Sydney, she could go a long way. Write to Asiaweek at mail@web.asiaweek.com
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