One bout away from glory
LONDON -- Thai boxer Kaew Pongprayoon has booked a place in the gold-medal final after beating Russia's David Ayrapetyan in the semi-finals of the light flyweight division at the London 2012 Olympic Games on Friday.
- Published: 10/08/2012 at 08:01 PM
- Newspaper section: topstories
The 32-year-old Kamphaeng Phet fighter, in blue, claimed a 13-12 victory against the 28-year-old Russian.
Kaew will face China's reigning champion Zou Shiming in the final match at 2.30am Sunday Bangkok time. Zou defeated Paddy Barnes of Ireland earlier.
For Kaew, a gold medal could be worth about 100 million baht in rewards from the government and private companies.
Thailand Boxing Association president Boonlert Kaewprasit has said a boxing gold medallist would get about 50 million baht from association sponsors. He has promised to push for Kaew, an army sergeant, to become a commissioned officer if he wins the top prize.
Thailand has fielded 37 athletes in 16 disciplines at the London Games. So far the kingdom has won a silver medal in women's weightlifting and a bronze in women's taekwondo, and Kaew is guaranteed at least a bronze by virtue of his earlier defeat of Aleksandar Aleksandrov of Bulgaria.
At the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Thai athletes won four medals, two of them gold.
About the author
- Writer: Online Reporters
- Position: Online Reporters