Lifters Premsiri and Pensiri launch Thailand's gold medal bid
Story By WANCHAI RUJAWONGSANTI
Thailand will begin their medal hunt today with two female weightlifters expected to finish on the podium.
Premsiri Bunpithak and Pensiri Laosirikul will be competing in the 48kg division starting at 9am Thai time, and the duo and their bosses are brimming with confidence that they will not return home empty-handed.
They will face a tough task against hot favourite Chen Xiexia of China who swept three gold medals at the 2007 World Championships in Chiang Mai. Other contenders include defending champion Nurcan Taylan and young star Siebel Ozkan, both of Turkey.
Bussaba Yodbangtoey, president of the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association of Thailand (Tawa), admitted that she felt under pressure to push her team to glory as the 2004 Olympic sqaud had set a high standard.
The Athens team won two gold and two bronze medals. However, gold medallists Udomporn Polsak and Pawina Thongsuk and bronze winner Aree Wiratthaworn have since retired.
"Weightlifting is one of Thailand's hopes," Bussaba said.
"We did very well in the previous Olympics so people expect us to do well again this time."
She said she believed Premsiri and Pensiri were good enough to beat their opponents but their results would depend on their form on competition day.
According to the official information, Chen has the best record of 210kg followed by Ozkan 200kg, Im Jyounghwa of South Korea 197kg, Premsiri 196kg and Pensiri and Taylan 195kg.
"Our opponents are beatable. But I don't know if they sent their actual records to the organising committee or not," said Bussaba.
Premsiri and Pensiri did well in training and both should be able to finish on the podium although the Chinese is favourite, she said.
Premsiri and Pensiri said they were fully fit for the most important competition of their career.
Premsiri, formerly Thongyim, said she did not feel under pressure although expectations for her to land the kingdom's first medal are high.
"I am 100% ready. I will not think about my opponents. Every competitor knows each other well.
"I think I can beat any opponent," said the Suphan Buri native.
Having recovered from injury, Pensiri, of Nakhon Si Thammarat, said she was now fit and healthy and was ready for the occasion.
"I am 100% ready physically and mentally. I have often called home to talk to my mother for her moral support," she said.
The duo will be spurred by the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who will watch them at the competition venue.
The Princess visited the Athletes Village on Thursday and talked in particular with the female weightlifters.
"Their morale and confidence has been boosted by their audience with the Princess," Bussaba said.
While the hype is around Premsiri and Pensiri, shooters believe they can target a medal today.
Jakkrit Panitpatikum, considered Thailand's best bet in shooting, is scheduled to take part in the men's 10m air pistol with the qualifying round starting at 10.30am.
His team-mates Thayalak Chotpibunsin and Sasithorn Hongprasert will compete in the women's air rifle from 8.30am.
Thanyalak, who is making her Olympic debut, said she was nervous but felt at home as conditions in Beijing are similar to those in Thailand.
"In shooting, anything can happen. Past records may mean nothing. It depends on your form and focus on the day," said the 17-year-old Chiang Mai native.
Veteran Jakkrit, 35, is in a confident mood in his third Olympics. He said he did not feel any pressure and was care-free.
"I always aim to win a medal in any competition," said the temperamental shooter.
Charouck Arirachakarn, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NCOT), said Jakkrit could be a surprise package and win a medal.
Shooting team manager Auchai Kanchanapitak said the shooters were in good shape both physically and mentally and could pull off surprise results.
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Story By WANCHAI RUJAWONGSANTI
Thailand will begin their medal hunt today with two female weightlifters expected to finish on the podium.
Premsiri Bunpithak and Pensiri Laosirikul will be competing in the 48kg division starting at 9am Thai time, and the duo and their bosses are brimming with confidence that they will not return home empty-handed.
They will face a tough task against hot favourite Chen Xiexia of China who swept three gold medals at the 2007 World Championships in Chiang Mai. Other contenders include defending champion Nurcan Taylan and young star Siebel Ozkan, both of Turkey.
Bussaba Yodbangtoey, president of the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association of Thailand (Tawa), admitted that she felt under pressure to push her team to glory as the 2004 Olympic sqaud had set a high standard.
The Athens team won two gold and two bronze medals. However, gold medallists Udomporn Polsak and Pawina Thongsuk and bronze winner Aree Wiratthaworn have since retired.
"Weightlifting is one of Thailand's hopes," Bussaba said.
"We did very well in the previous Olympics so people expect us to do well again this time."
She said she believed Premsiri and Pensiri were good enough to beat their opponents but their results would depend on their form on competition day.
According to the official information, Chen has the best record of 210kg followed by Ozkan 200kg, Im Jyounghwa of South Korea 197kg, Premsiri 196kg and Pensiri and Taylan 195kg.
"Our opponents are beatable. But I don't know if they sent their actual records to the organising committee or not," said Bussaba.
Premsiri and Pensiri did well in training and both should be able to finish on the podium although the Chinese is favourite, she said.
Premsiri and Pensiri said they were fully fit for the most important competition of their career.
Premsiri, formerly Thongyim, said she did not feel under pressure although expectations for her to land the kingdom's first medal are high.
"I am 100% ready. I will not think about my opponents. Every competitor knows each other well.
"I think I can beat any opponent," said the Suphan Buri native.
Having recovered from injury, Pensiri, of Nakhon Si Thammarat, said she was now fit and healthy and was ready for the occasion.
"I am 100% ready physically and mentally. I have often called home to talk to my mother for her moral support," she said.
The duo will be spurred by the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who will watch them at the competition venue.
The Princess visited the Athletes Village on Thursday and talked in particular with the female weightlifters.
"Their morale and confidence has been boosted by their audience with the Princess," Bussaba said.
While the hype is around Premsiri and Pensiri, shooters believe they can target a medal today.
Jakkrit Panitpatikum, considered Thailand's best bet in shooting, is scheduled to take part in the men's 10m air pistol with the qualifying round starting at 10.30am.
His team-mates Thayalak Chotpibunsin and Sasithorn Hongprasert will compete in the women's air rifle from 8.30am.
Thanyalak, who is making her Olympic debut, said she was nervous but felt at home as conditions in Beijing are similar to those in Thailand.
"In shooting, anything can happen. Past records may mean nothing. It depends on your form and focus on the day," said the 17-year-old Chiang Mai native.
Veteran Jakkrit, 35, is in a confident mood in his third Olympics. He said he did not feel any pressure and was care-free.
"I always aim to win a medal in any competition," said the temperamental shooter.
Charouck Arirachakarn, secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NCOT), said Jakkrit could be a surprise package and win a medal.
Shooting team manager Auchai Kanchanapitak said the shooters were in good shape both physically and mentally and could pull off surprise results.
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