Amateur boxer Kaew Pongprayoon and weightlifter Pimsiri Sirikaew were yesterday named the best male and female athletes of the year by the Sport Writers' Association of Thailand, following their success at the London Olympics.
From left, Pimsiri Sirikaew, Kaew Pongprayoon, Yodwicha Por Boonyasit and Saengmanee Sor Thienph with their trophies. PHOTO: APICHIT JINAKUL
Golfer Thawon Wiratchant took the best professional athlete award for his record-setting season.
The trio received His Majesty the King's trophies, while Yodwicha Por Boonyasit and Saengmanee Sor Thienpho shared the best Muay Thai fighter award and the HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn's trophy.
Kaew won silver in the 49kg category after losing to China's Zou Shiming in the final at the London Games, prompting the Thai and a large number of his compatriots to claim he was robbed.
Kaew, who was treated as if he was an Olympic champion, has since retired while Zou is pursuing a professional career.
Kaew was chosen ahead of taekwondo exponent Pen-ek Karaket and sailor Damrongsak Wongtim.
Pimsiri finished second in the 56kg class in London. She beat taekwondo star Chanatip Sonkiham, a bronze medallist at the 2012 Olympics, and badminton player Ratchanok Intanon, who reached the quarter-finals in London.
The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) also picked Kaew and Pimsiri as the best athletes of the year a few months ago.
Thaworn won three Asian Tour titles last year, making him the most successful player on the tour with 15 wins in total. He also became the oldest player to win the tour's money title, just before his 46th birthday.
He was selected ahead of Thongchai Jaidee, who was the first Thai golfer to win a European Tour event on European soil with his Wales Open triumph, and volleyball player Nootsara Tomkham.
"It is a great honour to be recognised by the association," Thaworn, who is playing in Indonesia, said in a statement.
"I thought I might fail to win the award after missing out on the SAT's award."
The SAT selected footballer Teerasil Dangda of SCG Muang Thong United ahead of Thaworn but several critics believed Thaworn was the better choice.
In the youth category, golfer Ariya Jutanugarn took the best female award while sailor Keerati Bualong claimed the male title.
Pattaya Tadthong and Saysunee Jana were recognised as the best male and female disabled athletes.
At the London Paralympics, Pattaya took home two golds in boccia while Saysunee won one in wheelchair fencing.
The national badminton squad were the best team and their manager Khunying Pattama Leesawastrakul won the best manager award.
The Volleyball Association of Thailand was the best association while Chon Buri was the best provincial association.