Boxer Srisaket receives 'most valued' award

Boxer Srisaket receives 'most valued' award

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai show his the MVP trophy and cheque. (Supplied)
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai show his the MVP trophy and cheque. (Supplied)

WBC super-flyweight champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the year at the 12th Siamkeela (Siam Sport) Awards on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old boxer beat golfer Ariya Jutanugarn and badminton star Ratchanok Intanon for the prestigious award. He received 300,000 baht in prize money. 

The WBC champion, known in Thailand as Srisaket Nakornloung Promotion, retained the title with a majority decision against Mexico's Juan Francisco Estrada at the Los Angeles Forum last month.

Last year, Srisaket dethroned previously-unbeaten Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua with a majority decision in March and then knocked him out in the fourth round in a rematch in September.

His coach Chokechai Pisitwutthinan also won the best coach award.

Taekwondo exponent Tawin Hanprab won the best male amateur award while golfer Atthaya Thitikul claimed the female amateur title.

Tawin, a silver medallist at the 2016 Olympics, won the gold medal in the 58kg division at the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia.

Atthaya won the inaugural Women's Amateur Asia-Pacific championship in Singapore, just days after she turned 15 last month.

With the win, she earned a spot at last week's HSBC Women's World Championship, also in Singapore, where she finished tied for eighth.

Atthaya became the youngest ever winner in a professional golf event in July last year when she won the European Ladies Thailand Championship in Pattaya at the age of 14 years, four months and 19 days.

The following month, she took home team and individual gold medals at the SEA Games.

The Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) was chosen as the best association.

"This year, our athletes have already won five international titles and took six runner-up spots,'' said BAT president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul.

The BAT's success was a result of efforts from all parties concerned and the association's good governance, she said.

"Our goal is to win a medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo,'' said Patama, also a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Former badminton star Preecha Sopajaree became a Hall of Famer while shuttler Amnuay Vejvitharn received the best disabled athlete award.

SCG president and CEO Rungroj Rangsiyopas received the Merit Award for his contribution to sports.

Patama Leeswadtrakul and Rungroj Rangsiyopas with their awards.

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