Taekwondo star Panipak Wongpattanakit and boxer Janjaem Suwannapheng returned home to a hero's reception on Tuesday after the Paris 2024 Olympics. Panipak retained her 49kg title, becoming the first Thai athlete to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals and claim a third consecutive medal at Paris 2024. Janjaem claimed a bronze medal in the women's 66kg category -- the country's only medal in boxing.
Thailand won six medals at Paris 2024 -- one gold (taekwondo), three silver (two weightlifting, one badminton) and two bronze (one each in weightlifting and boxing). "I didn't expect so many people to come and give us such a warm welcome," Panipak told the media at the airport. "Winning the second Olympic gold medal was so overwhelming and I couldn't sleep.
I was so proud. It was history we created together by having the Thai national flag raised at the Paris Olympics. "It was worth all the sacrifices," she added.
Panipak also reconfirmed that Paris 2024 was her last competitive tournament in her career. "This book called "Taekwondo" has already had its beautiful ending, a perfect ending," she said. "I gave it my all and I couldn't be happier.
" Janjaem, meanwhile, said she was so happy to have such a warm welcome. "It felt good to see so many people here today because all the Thai athletes did their best at the Olympic Games," she said. Also arriving Tuesday were Panipak's taekwondo teammates -- Banlung Tubtimdang, Sasikarn Tongchan -- and coach Chatchai Choi, formerly known as Cho.