Choi continues as Thailand coach

Choi continues as Thailand coach

Supporters welcome Korean's return

National taekwondo coach Choi Young Seok yesterday offered his apologies to all Thais for his punishment of his athlete Rungravee Khusura during a recent tournament.

National taekwondo coach Choi Young Seok, centre, is greeted by hundreds of well-wishers at Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday night. pattarapong chatpattarasill

“I want to apologise all Thais,’’ the Korean told a press conference. “I want the matter to end as soon as possible.’’

Rungravee claims she was punched by the coach after her loss in her first match at the Korean Open earlier this month.

The 40-year-old coach insisted he did not punch Rungravee but only punished her because she arrived late at the competition venue.

The Korean said that after the punishment he talked to her for 30 minutes and apologised to her.

“I punished her not because I was angry at her defeat. For me, discipline is more important than the result,’’ said Choi, adding that he would not change his coaching style of strict discipline.

Choi claimed Rungravee arrived at the competition venue five minutes late but was allowed to compete before being well-beaten by a Korean opponent.

He said normally athletes must arrive at the venue no later than one minute after the scheduled time but the Korean Open organisers extended this to five minutes because there were a large number of participants.

“I hope she understands me. I love all my players like my own children. I am sorry for the incident.’’ he said.

Choi said Rungravee would be welcome back to the national team as she is among candidates to represent Thailand at the Asian Games in September.

The 23-year-old is among 20 fighters vying for 10 spots for the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

Having been reluctant to come back to Thailand after the incident, Choi said he decided to return to coach his athletes here because he wants to complete his mission of helping his “second home” win an Olympic gold medal.

The Korean arrived in Bangkok on Sunday night to a hero’s welcome from hundreds of journalists and well-wishers at Suvarnabhumi airport.

“I am surprised by the warm welcome,’’ said Choi, who began his Thailand reign in 2002.

“I am here now because my players are waiting for me. More importantly, I have to try to reach my goal of helping Thailand win an Olympic gold medal.’’

Under Choi, the Thai taekwondo team has claimed two bronzes and one silver at the Olympics.

He said he had turned down lucrative offers from other countries.

“I have never thought about quitting the Thai team because I don’t want to train foreigners to fight my Thai players,’’ Choi said. “Thailand is my second home where I have been living for 12 years.’’

Choi gets 200,000 baht a month from the Taekwondo Association of Thailand (TAT). He only has a gentlemen’s contract with the TAT and has not received a pay rise since 2006.

TAT president Pimol Srivikorn said he hoped the saga was now at an end.

“I hope all parties forget it and focus on training,’’ he said. “We have two upcoming major events — the Youth Olympics [next month] and the Asian Games.

“Choi wants to continue as coach of Thailand because his mission is not yet complete. He wants to help Thailand win its first gold medal in taekwondo at the 2016 Olympics.’’

TAT vice-president Preecha Tortrakul said that from now on, players and their parents would be informed about disciplinary rules.

Preecha, who brought Choi to Thailand in 2002, said Choi must also be cautious about his punishment of his athletes, particularly women.

Rungravee reportedly fell ill due to stress after being criticised by Choi’s supporters.

Some of them labelled her a liar for her claim that she was punched about 10 times by Choi, while others called her a soap opera star.

She was asked to explain her side of the story before the investigation committee on Saturday but she did not show up to the hearing.

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