Controversial decision gives Kaew silver | Bangkok Post: learning

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Kaew won gold in the eyes of the crowd, analysts and Thai viewers, but the judges decided for his Chinese opponent, so the Kamphaeng Phet fighter settles for silver. Reuters photo

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Chinese light flyweight Zou Shiming takes down Kaew Pongprayoon, one of the most egregious fouls by Zou, who was awarded the decision and gold medal. REUTERS

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Controversial decision gives Kaew silver

Zou was jubilant, of course, but Kaew was almost inconsolable right after the decision was announced

China's Zou Shiming won his second successive Olympic gold medal by beating Thailand's Kaeo Pongprayoon 13-10 last night, but he is not getting the applause from the world of boxing that he might have hoped for.

It was a fight "marred by controversy", said Reuters.

"The Thai boxer was hit with a two-point penalty for an unclear offence with 9 seconds left in the bout," said the Associated Press.

And from Scott Christ of the SB Nation: "It has to be said, first off, that Zou frankly fought with a deplorably ugly style in this one, running and grabbing constantly, and at one point essentially tackling Pongprayoon."

The Bangkok Post's online reporter was the most outspoken, stating directly that the Thai boxer was robbed of a gold medal that was rightly his.

"The crowd booed and international announcers openly criticised yet another unjust boxing decision that prevented Kaew Pongprayoon from winning a gold medal Sunday morning.

"The crowd, foreign commentators and millions around the world saw Kaew defeat Zou Shiming for the gold medal in the light flyweight division.

"But five judges and referee Yasar Cinar of Turkey saw Zou edge Kaew by one point in each of the rounds, and emerge with victory and gold."

The "international announcers" on the official Olympic telecast (you can can see it here on youtube: http://youtu.be/7-QOzaSSjscc) were indeed critical, especially in the final round.

However, they did not find much to criticise in the first two rounds, pointing out that Zou is one of the world's craftiest boxers.

"He's like the cleverest pickpocket you'll ever see. He'll take a point from you and you don't even know you've conceded one," one commentator said.

"He's scrappy, he's messy but he's winning and that's what it takes,” was the assessment at the end of the second round.

Zou holds his gold medal next to Kaew with his silver at the in-ring presentation ceremony. Ireland's Paddy Barnes, a co-bronze medal winner, is at left. REUTERS

But, both commentators also criticised the Chinese fighter for his holding tactics.

"He's crafty but naughty," said one and they both approved of the penalty given to Zou near the end of the final round.

But seconds later, they lashed out at the referee for the dubious penalty given to the Thai boxer.

"Oh, you're joking referee, unbelievable."

In the end, both commentators agreed that Zou was very, very lucky to walk away the winner.

egregious – extremely bad  เลวทราม, ,เหลือเกิน
controversial – causing disagreement ซึ่งก่อให้เกิดการโต้แย้ง
successive – following immediately one after the other  ต่อเนื่องกัน, ตามลำดับ
applause – showing enjoyment or approval of something such as a performance or speech by clapping the hands repeatedly to make a noise การปรบมือแสดงความชื่นชม
mar – to spoil something ทำให้เสียหาย
penalty – a punishment, or the usual punishment, for doing something that is against a law โทษ
offence – a crime or illegal activity for which there is a punishment การกระทำความผิด
bout – a boxing or wrestling match การแข่งขัน
frankly – in an open, honest, and direct manner อย่างตรงไปตรงมา
deplorable – very bad and unacceptable, often in a way that shocks people น่าตำหนิ,  น่าสังเวช
grab – to take or hold somebody/something with your hand suddenly, firmly or roughly จับ
constantly – continuously; all the time อย่างต่อเนื่อง
essentially – for the most part; mostly true, but not completely true เป็นหลัก, อย่างตามความจริง
tackle – to make an opponent fall to the ground in order to stop them running
outspoken – giving your opinion strongly and honestly, even if other people do not like it พูดโผงผาง,พูดตรงไปตรงมา,พูดจาเปิดเผย
jubilant – extremely happy because something good has happened  ปีติยินดี
inconsolable – so unhappy or disappointed that no one can make you feel better เศร้าโศก จนไม่สามารถปลอบใจได้
booed – made expressions of strong disapproval or disagreement  คำอุทานแสดงการเหยียดหยามการไม่เห็นด้วย, โห่ฮิ้ว
criticise – to say that you disapprove of somebody/something; to say what you do not like or think is wrong about somebody/something วิจารณ์, ติเตียน,จับผิด
unjust – not fair or reasonable ไม่ยุติธรรม
commentator – someone whose job is to discuss or describe something on television or radio ผู้บรรยาย, ผู้วิจารณ์,ผู้ออกความเห็น
defeat – to win a victory over someone in a fight, war or competition ชนะ, ปราบ
referee – a person who is in charge of a sports game and who makes certain that the rules are followed ผู้ตัดสิน, กรรมการตัดสิน
edge – to beat someone in a competition by a small amount ชนะอย่างหวุดหวิด
crafty – clever at getting what you want, especially by indirect or dishonest methods  ที่ทำเล่ห์เหลี่ยมหลอกลวง
pickpocket – a person who steals money, etc. from other people's pockets, especially in crowded places นักล้วงกระเป๋า
concede – to allow a point to be scored against you in a competition เสียคะแนน
scrappy – aggressive, but not organised or disciplined  ชอบต่อสู้
messy – complicated, difficult, and unpleasant to deal with ซึ่งไม่เป็นระเบียบ, ซึ่งยุ่งเหยิง
assessment – a judgment or opinion การประเมิน
tactic – a planned way of doing something ยุทธวิธี
naughty – not appropriate ไม่เหมาะสม, เก่งในทางซุกซนหรือในทางไม่สู้ดี
approve – to think that somebody/something is good, acceptable or suitable พอใจ
lash out – to criticise someone or something angrily  ประนามอย่างรุนแรง
dubious – thought not to be completely true or not able to be trusted อย่างสงสัย

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