Thai boxer Janjaem Suwannapheng earned Thailand their second medal at the Paris Olympic Games early Wednesday morning, Thai time.
The 23-year-old took home a bronze medal after losing to Imane Khelif of Algeria in a unanimous points decision in the women's 66-kilogramme semi-finals at the Roland Garros Stadium.
Janjaem, who had a clear height disadvantage, took a standing count in the third round after feeling the full force of the Algerian's punch.
At the end of the fight at the 15,000-seated Court Philippe-Chatrier, the two fighters greeted each other warmly and shook hands.
"She was just so strong today," Janjaem said after the fight. "I fought as much as I could but she has a longer reach and she's got so much power.
"Thank you for all the support from the Thai fans and my apologies for only getting a bronze today," she added.
In a post on social media later, Janjaem wrote, "My hard work today is over. I'm very happy that I was able to bring a bronze medal back with me to Thailand. Thank you for such an overwhelming support."
Khelif will face Yang Liu for gold tomorrow after the Chinese beat Taiwan's Chen Nien-chin 4-1 in the other semi-final bout.
Janjaem, the 2023 world silver medallist, is entitled to receive as much as 4.8 million baht from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF) for winning an Olympic bronze.
She matched Sudaporn Seesondee, who was the first Thai female fighter to win an Olympic medal at the Covid-delayed Tokyo 2020 three years ago, taking bronze in the women's 60kg category.
Janjaem's parents, who watched the fight at their home in Nong Khai, said their daughter called just before the fight.
"She called me at around 11pm before leaving for the stadium, asking for my blessings," said Janjaem's father Sunan.
"I told her to do her best and the whole of Thailand will be rooting for her.
"I am proud of her. She did well but her opponent has a long reach. She did her best and I believe the Thai fans are happy with her performance. This is her first Olympics and she got the bronze medal!"
In table tennis, Thailand lost to Japan 3-0 in the quarter-finals of the women's team competition at South Paris Arena on Tuesday night.
Suthasini Sawettabut and Orawan Paranang lost to Hina Hayata and Miu Hirano 7-11, 6-11, 5-11 in the first doubles match.
Jinnipa Sawettabut lost to Miwa Harimoto 10-12, 5-11, 9-11 and Orawan was beaten by Hirano 8-11, 5-11, 6-11.
Walking history
Spain won the inaugural marathon race walk mixed relay Olympic title yesterday, their duo of Alvaro Martin and Maria Perez timing 2hr 50min 30sec.
Ecuador -- whose duet included men's 20km walk champion Brian Pintado -- finished second (2:51:22) with Australia third (2:51:38).
The Spanish more than justified their favourites tag, both Martin and Perez winning two titles apiece at last year's world championships.
Perez and Ecuador's Glenda Morejon fought out a neck-and-neck duel on the fourth and final leg -- which was raced along the banks of the Seine, passing the Eiffel Tower in central Paris.
However, Perez drew clear with Morejon, playing safe to preserve the silver due to being one red card away from a penalty zone punishment, which would have cost them a medal.
That was the fate which befell China when in medal contention, Zhang Jun banging his hand on the metal barrier in frustration after he was sent to the penalty zone on the third and penultimate leg.
Joy for Miroslaw
Poland's world-record holder Aleksandra Miroslaw clinched the gold medal in women's speed climbing yesterday, in the sport's Olympic debut as a stand-alone event.
The 30-year-old had been the clear favourite after breaking her own world record twice in the lead-up to the finals, climbing the 15-metre wall in 6.06 seconds two days ago.
At the Le Bourget venue yesterday, she did the vertical run in 6.10 seconds, beating China's Deng Lijuan in a photo finish. The silver medallist set her personal best in the race, with 6.18s.
Poland's Aleksandra Kalucka won the bronze medal with a time of 6.53s.
Sport climbing is making its second Olympic appearance but the Paris Games are the first where the speed discipline is a separate medal event from boulder and lead, as is the norm for the sport due to the vastly different techniques required.
The smallest misstep can seal the fate of athletes in the Olympics' fastest race, as it did for American Emma Hunt.
In arguably the day's biggest upset, Hunt was eliminated in the quarter-finals after her right foot slipped half-way up the wall. The 21-year-old had been the favourite to challenge Miroslaw for the gold.
