BEJING Record
WANCHAI RUJAWONGSANTI
I did not think Manus Boonjumnong would win the light-welterweight gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics but he managed it.
I thought Manus would lose to Serik Sapiyev of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals at the 2006 Doha Asian Games but the Thai outpointed him on his way to win gold.
I believed Sapiyev was too strong for Manus in their quarter-final clash in Beijing but Manus managed to edge out his rival 7-5.
The Ratchaburi native admitted that he ran out of steam after three rounds with the score level at 5-5 and his coach had to encourage him to fight on for another round.
While a boxer needs a coach at his corner, he might also need another "coach" during a live interview.
After the fight, a Thai journalist handed him his mobile phone and asked him to talk to the other side in a live interview in a TV news programme.
While Manus was talking, the journalist told him: "Say you will behave. Say it!" Manus duly said "I will behave."
The Ratchaburi native will return home with a medal and become rich again. Even if he fails to reach the final, he still stands to get a handsome bonus from the government and the private sector.
Under the government's scheme for Olympic medal winners, a gold medallist gets 10 million baht, a silver medallist six million baht and a bronze medallist four million baht. Half of the sum will be paid in cash while the rest will be a salary for 10 years.
If he can only win a bronze, he will get 900,000 baht from Thai boxing team manager Sakchai Wongmalasit, alias Peter. He will also receive cash from several private companies.
Manus squandered millions of baht in bonus he earned from the Athens gold reportedly on gambling and partying. He is said to have considerable debts.
The victory over Sapiyev came at the right time for Manus. A veteran Thai journalist joked that some of his creditors could be on their way to Beijing to take money from Manus.
For the superstitious, Manus' win might something to do with a amulet of Luang Pu Thuad of Wat Chang Hai in Pattani given to him by a journalist on the morning of the fight.
The amulet is now very popular among Thai journalists covering the Beijing Games, many of whom asked for one from that journalist.
The win might also have something to do with several amulets in the handbag of Phusita Jantaraviroj, wife of Thai amateur boxing chief Taweep.
"I have everything in my bag - Thai, Chinese and Indian gods. I don't know what to say if our boxers fails to win a single medal," she said with a broad smile during the draw for the tournament.
Flyweight Somjit Jongjohor, who will fight in the quarter-finals tomorrow, carries an amulet bearing the image of His Majesty the King in monkhood.
Taekwondo exponent Chutchawal Khaolaor worships Jatukam and carries the talisman's Lak Chai (finish line) model.
Pimol Srivikorn, president of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand (TAT), said he brought with him several amulets and sacred items including takrud (wrapped metal sheet) and gold leaves on City Pillar. Most of them were given to him by well-wishers before the team left for Beijing.
Pimol also said he also promised the Emerald Buddha that he would worship the Buddha with 100 boiled eggs and 100 sets of pla ra (fermented fish) and sticky rice if his squad are successful.
When Pimol told journalists the story, Nattaphol Teepsuwan was standing next to him.
Nattaphol then said was surprised by Pimol's move as he also promised the same thing to the Emerald Buddha.
After weightlifter Prapawadee Jaroenrattanatarakoon won the 53kg gold, Bussaba Yodbangtoey, president of the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association, proudly showed reporters a four-inch high Ganesha in her handbag.
As Thais say, if you do not believe in this, don't look down on it or you will be cursed.
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