Bussaba recognised for success

Bussaba recognised for success

Thailand's weightlifting boss Bussaba Yodbangtoey has been given the highest recognition for any woman in sport, the IOC Women and Sport Trophy Award for 2013.

The award is an acknowledgement of Bussaba's great contributions to the promotion of women in weightlifting.

Following the recommendation of the International Weightlifting Federation, the IOC Women and Sport Commission selected Bussaba to be the recipient of the highly prestigious award. She will receive the trophy at a ceremony in Lausanne on July 1.

Bussaba is the key figure behind the gold medal success of the three Thai female weightlifters in the Olympic Games _ Udomporn Polsak (2004), Pawina Thongsuk (2004) and Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon (2008). Other medal winners included Khassaraporn Suta (bronze, 2000), Aree Wiratthaworn (bronze, 2004), Wandee Kameaim (bronze, 2004) and Pimsiri Sirikaew (silver, 2012).

Bussaba, who is the first female Thai recipient of the award, said she was delighted and proud to be chosen for this year's honours.

"I've been working in weightlifting in Thailand for more than 20 years, this is such a great honour and I'm so happy," she said.

"Helping Thai athletes winning Olympic golds is something I'm very proud of and I would like to thank the IOC and the IWF for recognising all my hard work."

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