The Thailand Karate Championships 2024 took place at Rangsit University in Pathum Thani Province on the weekend of June 29-30 with close to 500 athletes participating in 71 separate events.
The team from Phuket Karate Center were in fine form against some very stiff opposition from all over the country, ultimately taking home one gold medal, five bronze medals and two awards for outstanding performance.
Led by Phuket Karate Center head instructor Yingyong Chongtaweetham, the students and the local schools they represented were as follows: Chitchanok Fong from Phuket Kindergarten School; Angkiros Thongsuk, Anusaniya Thongsuk, Krittapas Bunphan, Phattharakon Sripraphan and Sadayu Wijitnawee, all from Pluk Panya Municipal School; and Phakchanya Wimun from Chaloem Phrakiat Somdej Phra Srinagarindra, otherwise known as the Princess Moth School Phuket.
Anusaniya won the team’s solitary gold medal while also claiming a bronze in two separate categories of kumite competition in the individual female 6-7 years age class. Kumite is one of the three main sections of karate training, along with kata and kihon.
Further bronze medals went to Chidchanok in the individual female 8-9 year class, Krittapas in the individual male 10-11 year class under 35-kilogrammes, Phattharakon in the individual male 10-11 year class and Sadayu in the individual male 12-13 year class under 45kg.
Furthermore young Anusaniya won the best individual female athlete award for the 6-7 year old age group in the female kumite competition.
Head instructor Mr Yingyong was recognised for his fine efforts in nurturing the young athletes, specifically Anusaniya’s achivements, when he was awarded the best instructor of a female athlete in the 6-7 years old age group of the kumite category.
“I would like to congratulate the athletes who received awards here and ask all athletes to use the various experiences they have gained as motivation to strengthen their morale and inspire them to strive to train,” commented Mr Yingyong after the tournament. “Develop yourself to be more skilled while aiming for excellence in the future,” he added.
FINE EXAMPLE
The young team from the Talat Yai-based Phuket Karate Centre have a strong bond where team work is imperative. This was emphasised perfectly by the fact that student Chitchanok Fong, who is the daughter of Mr Yingyong, became affectionaly known locally as ‘the young girl who sells lotus flowers’ after she took to doing so at a shrine nearby the gym every morning. All the proceeds raised from this activity went towards costs for the entire team to travel to north to Pathum Thani for the recent tournament.
In recognition of their achievements and for representing the province with such distinction, the students and their instructor attended a special ceremony at Provincial Hall on Tuesday (July 9) where they met with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, who cited the students as a fine example for other youngsters to follow.
The recent Thailand Karate Championships in Pathum Thani was the 55th annual edition of the event, with 476 athletes from gyms, dojos and training centres all over the country participating. There were 77 winners slots from the total 632 events up for grabs, as well as other prize categories such as winning team total score award, youth team award and public team award. Total prize money of more than B150,000 was distributed to athletes and teams finishing in the top three spots in selected categories.
The tournament was inaugurated by General Surachat Jitjang, President of event organisers the Karate Sports Association of Thailand (KSAT), at 11am on Saturday, June 29 in the Recreation Building at Rangsit University.
“The event was a resounding success, with participation numbers up by more than 100 compared to last year,” commented a KSAT offical. “This illustrates a positive trend as we continue to grow the sport and identify new talent which can eventually progress to represent the nation.”
This will no doubt be music to the ears of the super seven from the Phuket Karate Center who will be looking to the future and their development with great anticipation and excitement.