After announcing her retirement, weightlifting star Pawina Thongsuk says she will miss the companionship she developed with team-mates when competing overseas
Story By KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT
Pawina Thongsuk, arguably the most versatile female weightlifter of all time, finally succumbed to a knee injury last week.
"It's time to retire," said a tearful Pawina at a press conference. "I have been struggling with my injured right knee since the Doha Asian Games two years ago."
Pawina reached the height of her glittering career when she won gold in the 75kg division at the 2004 Olympics.
The Surin-born star, along with her friend Udomporn Polsak, became the first Thai women to have won Olympic gold at the Athens Games.
She claimed world titles in the 63kg and 69kg categories and the 63kg gold at the 2006 Asian Games. She also triumphed at other international events including the SEA Games and the World University Games.
"I am still missing my beloved sport. I still remember the joy of being with my team-mates when we competed overseas," said the 29-year-old.
"I was in the sport for almost 14 years so it is difficult to forget the fond memories."
Not surprisingly, Pawina regards the Olympic achievement her most successful moment.
"At that time, I did not have any problem mentally and physically. I was in great shape. It was a great time for me," said Pawina.
She also has a vivid memory of the Doha Games where she overcame pain to win gold for what proved to be her last major achievement.
"I felt really bad because of injury.
"But I managed to save face by winning," she said.
Pawina says she is more proud helping promote the sport in Thailand than winning titles for herself. But she admits that without the success of her and her team-mates, it is difficult to encourage the young to take up the sport.
Pawina herself also felt discouraged sometimes, but she devised her own way of standing up and working hard.
"I always reminded myself that I may be down today, but tomorrow I have to stand up and be stronger," she said.
"I would not have led a happy life if I had surrendered to all the obstacles I faced."
Pawina believes that quitting the sport will not only give her a chance to take a rest, but also allow the younger athletes an opportunity to try to succeed her.
But while the Weightlifting Association of Thailand have a number of young stars, Pawina feels that it should receive more support from the government and the private sector if the association is to repeat its success of a couple of years ago.
Pawina says it is a pity that private firms are reluctant to sponsor the association because they believe it is not worth the investment.
Holder of a master's degree in sports science, Pawina is working with the weightlifting association and hopes one day she will take charge of developing athletes and coaching them to glory.
While Thailand won two golds in weightlifting at the Athens Olympic Games, Pawina is not sure whether the current squad can be successful in Beijing.
She says several countries have made fast progress and tournaments have been more competitive that they were a few years ago.
"You will know about your chances only on the competition day," she said.
But she is confident that Thailand will win at least one weightlifting medal at the 2008 Games although she says it is difficult to predict if the Thais will win gold or not.
"I do not want to put pressure on my younger friends," Pawina says.
Judging from the Thai team's results in recent tournaments, it is understandable why Pawina is unsure about Thailand's prospects in Beijing.
It is a tough task for the Thai weightlifting bosses to find replacements for Pawina and Udomporn who retired after the Athens Games.
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Story By KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT
Pawina Thongsuk, arguably the most versatile female weightlifter of all time, finally succumbed to a knee injury last week.
"It's time to retire," said a tearful Pawina at a press conference. "I have been struggling with my injured right knee since the Doha Asian Games two years ago."
Pawina reached the height of her glittering career when she won gold in the 75kg division at the 2004 Olympics.
The Surin-born star, along with her friend Udomporn Polsak, became the first Thai women to have won Olympic gold at the Athens Games.
She claimed world titles in the 63kg and 69kg categories and the 63kg gold at the 2006 Asian Games. She also triumphed at other international events including the SEA Games and the World University Games.
"I am still missing my beloved sport. I still remember the joy of being with my team-mates when we competed overseas," said the 29-year-old.
"I was in the sport for almost 14 years so it is difficult to forget the fond memories."
Not surprisingly, Pawina regards the Olympic achievement her most successful moment.
"At that time, I did not have any problem mentally and physically. I was in great shape. It was a great time for me," said Pawina.
She also has a vivid memory of the Doha Games where she overcame pain to win gold for what proved to be her last major achievement.
"I felt really bad because of injury.
"But I managed to save face by winning," she said.
Pawina says she is more proud helping promote the sport in Thailand than winning titles for herself. But she admits that without the success of her and her team-mates, it is difficult to encourage the young to take up the sport.
Pawina herself also felt discouraged sometimes, but she devised her own way of standing up and working hard.
"I always reminded myself that I may be down today, but tomorrow I have to stand up and be stronger," she said.
"I would not have led a happy life if I had surrendered to all the obstacles I faced."
Pawina believes that quitting the sport will not only give her a chance to take a rest, but also allow the younger athletes an opportunity to try to succeed her.
But while the Weightlifting Association of Thailand have a number of young stars, Pawina feels that it should receive more support from the government and the private sector if the association is to repeat its success of a couple of years ago.
Pawina says it is a pity that private firms are reluctant to sponsor the association because they believe it is not worth the investment.
Holder of a master's degree in sports science, Pawina is working with the weightlifting association and hopes one day she will take charge of developing athletes and coaching them to glory.
While Thailand won two golds in weightlifting at the Athens Olympic Games, Pawina is not sure whether the current squad can be successful in Beijing.
She says several countries have made fast progress and tournaments have been more competitive that they were a few years ago.
"You will know about your chances only on the competition day," she said.
But she is confident that Thailand will win at least one weightlifting medal at the 2008 Games although she says it is difficult to predict if the Thais will win gold or not.
"I do not want to put pressure on my younger friends," Pawina says.
Judging from the Thai team's results in recent tournaments, it is understandable why Pawina is unsure about Thailand's prospects in Beijing.
It is a tough task for the Thai weightlifting bosses to find replacements for Pawina and Udomporn who retired after the Athens Games.
Discuss
Add this link to...
Tell a friend
Bury
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