8-8-2024 (PARIS) In a stunning display of skill and determination, Panipak Wongpattanakit of Thailand etched her name in the annals of Olympic history on Wednesday. The 26-year-old taekwondo sensation successfully defended her Tokyo title in the women’s flyweight division, besting China’s Guo Qing in a thrilling final at the Paris Olympics.
Wongpattanakit’s victory, with a score of 6-3 2-3 6-2, was sealed by two spectacular head kicks, each worth three points. This triumph marks a watershed moment for Thai sports, as Panipak becomes the first athlete from the Southeast Asian nation to clinch two Olympic gold medals.
The final bout proved to be Wongpattanakit’s toughest challenge of the day, following a series of commanding two-round victories in earlier matches. Her path to the gold medal showcased both her dominance in the sport and her ability to perform under pressure.
In a poignant twist to her golden moment, Wongpattanakit confirmed her retirement from competitive taekwondo during the post-match press conference. “I am very excited… to make this victory for Thailand,” she said, her face beaming with pride. The champion cited a series of injuries affecting her knee, ankle, and hip as factors influencing her decision to hang up her dobok.
Wongpattanakit’s journey to Olympic glory has been nothing short of remarkable. Her breakthrough came in Tokyo, where she secured Thailand’s first-ever gold medal in taekwondo. This feat catapulted her to national stardom, amassing a following of 1.6 million on TikTok, where fans admire her signature back-leg kicks to the trunk protector.
Behind Wongpattanakit’s success stands her long-time coach, Chatchai Choi. Their 13-year partnership has been crucial to her development, with Choi playing a pivotal role in persuading Panipak not to abandon the sport after her bronze medal finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
