We are at the end of another big sports year and it will be interesting to know which sports enjoyed top billing during the year.
To me it was boxing which was made most outstanding by that Philippine boxing great Manny Pacquiao. It’s his dynamic fists and religious fervour which made pugilism outstanding and placed boxing on a high pedestal.
Thai boxers too did very well, with Poonsawat Krathingdaeng shining in Dublin by beating Bernard Dunn to win the WBA super-bantamweight title.
WBA flyweight champion Denkaosaon Kaovichit, WBC “interim” flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam who will be bidding for the WBC flyweight title against Koki Kameda of Japan, WBC strawweight champion Oledong Sithsamernchai who beat Juan Palacios of Nicaragua in November, were among the best .
Thai women’s champion Usanakorn Kokietgym was the best on the distaff side. She had many more following her foot steps.
The Kingdom’s amateurs also shone in the SEA Games, winning five golds among the men and two among the women.
Muay Thai is making strong headway with a number of fighters showing their paces well.
Golf was shrouded by the scandals involving Tiger Woods but is slowly but steadily recovering from the setbacks. Though many rising stars are on the horizon, it will not be possible for someone to reach the top like Woods.
Locally Thongchai Jaidee has been the shining light of the sport, ahead of another long-standing star.
I was also told by Santi Bhrimbhakdi, who has supported golf, that there will be many more youngsters from Thailand who will reign in Asia very soon.
I am not surprised at the tremendous progress volleyball in Thailand has made. I was following the sport for several years. With a hard-working official like Shanrit Wongprasert, it is bound to reign in Asia in the years to come.
In the past, many thought that China, Japan and South Korea with their tall girls will rule not only Asia but the world too. But Shanrit has proved that the Thais could match them. Nothing is impossible with someone hard-working like Shanrit.
Soccer too has unfolded many exciting moments with Barcelona enjoying a purple patch while the Premier League has produced many exciting results. It is too early to predict which team will finally take the top slot in this well fought out competition. Locally, it has been a big disappointment with Thailand failing miserably in the SEA Games.
Young Noppawan Lertcheewakarn was undoubtedly the best tennis player the Kingdom produced. Her victories in the girls’ singles and doubles at Wimbledon were outstanding.
Among the professionals, Tamarine Tanasugarn is still there fresh as a flower, keeping the country’s flag flying.
The best result this year was produced by Kim Clijsters. Her US Open triumph was perhaps the best we witnessed. Among the men, Roger Federer is unassailable.
In track and field, young athlete Supanara Sukhasvati na Ayudhya, who won the gold medal in the long jump at the World Youth Championships and a silver in the triple jump, was undoubtedly the best rising star in this year’s action.
