Wongpattanakit wins Thailand’s first gold at Paris Olympics

Thailand’s Panipak Wongpattanakit celebrates on the podium with her medal after winning the gold medal of taekwondo women’s -49kg event of the Paris Olympics 2024 at the Grand Palais in Paris on August 7, 2024. (Photo by David GRAY / AFP)

PARIS — Panipak Wongpattanakit retired on a perfect note as she became the first Thai athlete in any sport to become a two-time Olympic champion on Wednesday.

Wongpattanakit defended her Tokyo Games title in taekwondo women’s  49-kilogram category to secure Thailand’s first gold medal of the Paris Olympics.

Wongpattanakit, who confirmed she will end her career, celebrated the gold by grabbing a Thai flag after jumping into her coach’s arms.

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“I have so much pain,” she said on the eve of her 27th birthday. “I had a broken knee. And my ankle, my hip… Now, I have to retire.”

Thailand’s Panipak Wongpattanakit celebrates winning the gold medal after beating China’s Guo Qing compete in the taekwondo women’s -49kg gold medal bout of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Grand Palais in Paris on August 7, 2024. (Photo by David GRAY / AFP)

Wongpattanakit, who comfortably won her three opening bouts to reach the final, trailed in the first round against Guo Qing of China but rallied with two consecutive kicks to the body and head.

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Guo fought back to force a decider, but Wongpattanakit prevailed after video reviews showed that she had successfully landed two spectacular head kicks.

Under the new taekwondo rules introduced in Paris, bouts are decided on a best-of-three format rather than cumulative points.

Mobina Nematzadeh of Iran and Lena Stojkovic of Croatia won bronze medals in the women’s tournament.