Panipak Wongpattanakit Secures Thailand’s First Gold at Paris 2024
On August 8th, Thai taekwondo star Panipak Wongpattanakit clinched Thailand’s first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering a historic victory in the 49kg taekwondo category. In a thrilling final, Wongpattanakit triumphed over China’s Guo Qing with a 2-1 win, successfully defending her Olympic title. This victory not only marks Thailand’s first gold in Paris but also the second Olympic taekwondo gold in the nation’s history, both secured by Wongpattanakit herself.
Wongpattanakit faced significant challenges during the match, including falling behind her Chinese opponent. However, her determination and resilience saw her bounce back to win with scores of 6-3, 2-6, and 6-2 across three intense rounds. This victory adds to Wongpattanakit’s impressive collection of titles, making her one of the most successful taekwondo athletes in the world.
Having won gold in major international competitions, including the Olympics, Asian Games, and World Taekwondo Championships, Wongpattanakit’s latest achievement in Paris solidifies her legacy in the sport. However, shortly after her win, Wongpattanakit made a surprising announcement—she is retiring from competitive taekwondo. The 26-year-old athlete cited multiple injuries, including a knee fracture, and ongoing pain in her ankle and hip as reasons for her decision. “I’ve endured a lot of pain. I think it’s time to retire,” she said, marking the end of a remarkable career.
Wongpattanakit’s journey to gold was not without its challenges. Eight years ago, at just 19, she contemplated retirement after securing a bronze medal, despite showing great promise. However, her relentless pursuit of excellence led her to claim Olympic gold in Tokyo 2021, and now, once again, in Paris 2024, bringing immense pride to Thailand.
With Wongpattanakit’s gold medal, Thailand’s tally at the Paris Olympics has reached five medals: one gold, two silvers, and two bronzes. Just hours before Wongpattanakit’s win, weightlifter Theerapong Silachai earned a silver medal in the men’s 61kg weightlifting category. Thailand’s impressive performance in Paris has placed them 31st on the medal leaderboard, closely trailing the Philippines, which is ranked 24th with two golds.
