Having demanded that national taekwondo coach Choi Young Seok apologise to her, fighter Rungravee Khurasa instead will today do it to the Korean.
Choi Young Seok, right, and Preecha Tortrakul.
“I want to apologise to coach Choi,” the 23-year-old exponent said yesterday.
She said she wanted to return to the national team and would discuss the matter with Choi and officials from the Taekwondo Association of Thailand at its headquarters today.
Rungravee had claimed on her Facebook page and on TV that she was punched about 10 times by Choi after her defeat in her first match at the Korea Open earlier this month.
Rungravee, who won a bronze at last month’s Asian Championships, also said she would quit the national team.
The Phichit-born athlete said yesterday she had criticised Choi’s harsh punishment because she was angry at that time.
“I love taekwondo and I have been in the sport since I was a Grade 10 student,” Rungravee said.
“I want to continue to represent Thailand.”
Rungravee is one of 20 Thai fighters vying for 12 spots at the Asian Games in September.
Her U-turn came a day after Choi said he would welcome Rungravee back to the national team.
The coach said he did punish her because she lacked discipline during the Korea Open but did not punch her.
Choi returned to Thailand to a ‘hero’s welcome’ at Suvarnabhumi airport on Sunday night when he was greeted by hundreds of fans.
TAT vice-president Preecha Tortakul said yesterday Rungravee would be welcome and that it would be good for the athlete and Choi to clear the air at today’s meeting.