Tributes and congratulatory messages poured in for taekwondo star Panipak Wongpattanakit, who won the first gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games for Thailand early yesterday morning, Thai time.
Panipak became the first Thai to win back-to-back Olympic crowns after she retained her title in the taekwondo women's 49kg division against China's Guo Qing.
Panipak defeated the Chinese 2-1 (6-3 2-3 6-2) in the final to clinch the victory with two kicks to Guo's head.
With the victory, Panipak has now won an Olympic medal in three consecutive Games. She won bronze at Rio 2016.
Panipak, who turned 27 yesterday, posted a photo of herself kissing the gold medal on her Instagram account with a caption, "The best birthday present ever".
Her post drew tons of comments, congratulating the double-Olympic-gold medallist, including many from fellow athletes, actors, and other Thai celebrities.
"You're not human!," commented badminton star Ratchanok Intanon with three thumbs-up emojis.
"YNWA Great Champion," wrote Jerzy Dudek, the former Liverpool goalkeeper.
Actress Woranuch Bhirom Bhakdi wrote, "Congratulations, na ka."
Singer "Jay" Jetrin Wattanasin posted Panipak's video clip during the final with a caption. "Olympic gold medal for the Thai people. Thank you Nong Tennis [Panipak's nickname] #paris2024 Thank you coach Choi very much. We are proud of you. So happy. Who cried like me? I'm very happy @panipak2540 #Thailand Happy birthday to you Nong Tennis #olympics."
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also sent a congratulatory message along with a birthday wish to the taekwondo star.
"Happy birthday to Panipak. The gold medal was her most precious gift because she made it happen all by herself. It deserves huge congratulations.
"Unfortunately, the final was so late and I couldn't stay up to watch," he added.
English Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool also joined in on the celebrations.
United posted on the club's Facebook account, "Congratulations! Glory Glory! Tennis Panipak."
Liverpool also made a post on their Facebook account. "Congratulations "Tennis" Panipak Wongpattanakit for winning another women's taekwondo gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris."
Unfortunately another Thai taekwondo athlete Banlung Tabtimdang bowed out in the round of 16 at the Grand Palais yesterday.
Banlung, the 2022 Asian Games gold medallist, lost to Javier Perez Polo of Spain 2-0 in the men's 68kg division.
Women's 67kg fighter Sasikarn Tongchan, the last of the Thai taekwondo team, will be in action today.
She will face Caroline Santos of Brazil in the round of 16.
Meanwhile surprise weightlifting medals from two Olympic debutants Theerapong Silachai and Surodchana Khambao also drew praises from Thai social media circles.
Theerapong, 20, won silver in the men's 61kg division while Surodchana took bronze in the women's 49kg event.
The Thai weightlifting team had been flying under the radar prior to the start of the competition. They returned to the Olympics for the first time in eight years after missing Rio 2016.
The two medals on Wednesday have boosted the total Olympic medal count to 16.
Thailand have two more lifters to compete in Paris.
Weeraphon Wichuma was in action later last night in the men's 73kg division while Duangaksorn Chaidee will compete in the women's over 81kg event on Sunday.
In other sports involving Thai athletes, cyclist Jai Angsuthasawit clocked 9.898 to finish 27th in the men's sprint qualifying on Wednesday at the national velodrome in Paris.
Jai will also compete in the men's keirin tomorrow.
Thai sailors Arthit Mikhail Romanyk finished 35th overall in the men's dinghy race while Sophia Montgomery was 27th in the women's event. Both races concluded on Wednesday after several delays in Marseille.
