THE KING WITH THE MIDAS TOUCH ON SPORTS
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 17 Oct 2016
BANGKOK, THAILAND - We were stranded here at the Thai capital because our Philippine Airlines flight was cancelled due to typhoon Karen. Still hugging the media is the passing of the well-loved Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
On the Bangkok Post an article was written by Wanchai Rujawongsanti entitled "The monarch with Midas touch remembered." It recounted how King Bhumidol inspired a large number of athletes, mostly boxers, to win their fights.
In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Thailand had a formidable boxing squad which included Somjit Jongjohor, Manus Boonjumnong, Worapoj Petchkoom and Suriya Prasarthinphimai and coached by Cuban mentor Juan Fontanils. During the course of the competition, the team received a message from the King wishing them success.
"The King's message gives me power," Manus was quoted by Wanchai, before his light-welterweight final against Cuba's Yudel Johnson. The inspired Manus surprisingly defeated Johnson 17-11 to win the gold medal.
"I dedicate the gold medal to the King," Manus said after the bout as he led the 2004 Athens Thai boxing team in the most successful Olympics as they took home three medals via Manus'gold, Worapoj's silver and Suriya's bronze.
Four years later, in Beijing in 2008, Somjit was determined to improve his disappointing Athens campaign.
Somjit trained rigorously and at the same time looked for "divine help" as inspiration. The management gave each member of the boxing squad an amulet but Somjit also had his own sacred object.
"Somjit had an amulet with the King's image in the monkhood known in Thai as the Nai Luang Song Phanuak amulet," wrote Wanchai on the Bangkok Post.
When asked why he chose such amulet Somjit replied: "The King is already holy -- he is even holier in the monkhood."
Somjit dominated Cuba's Andry Laffita 8-2 to win the flyweight gold in the finals.
King Bhumidol personally witnessed pro boxer Pone Kingpetch fought world flyweight champion Pascual Perez of Argentina on April 16, 1960 at the Lumpini stadium in Bangkok.
Pone defeated Perez and became Thailand's first world boxing champion and the King congratulated him in the royal box.
"I was so happy that I cried," Pone was quoted by the report.
Pone lost his flyweight belt to Fighting Harada in Japan in 1962 but was granted a rematch at Bangkok's Gymnasium 1 the next year.
It was reported that "Pone was trailing Harada after six rounds. His cornerman then told Pone that the King had just arrived at the venue.
The news boosted Pone's confidence as he fought harder and beat the Japanese on points after 15 rounds to regain the crown."
Even when the monarch was hospitalized he still gave his support for the Thai athletes. In 2014, the King was admitted at the Siriraj Hospital when he watched the Thai national football team play Malaysia on TV in the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final in Kuala Lumpur.
Having won 2-0 in the first leg in homecourt in Bangkok, the Thais were still lagging behind 0-2 at half-time in Malaysia.
"According to his doctor Prof Udom Kachintorn, the King asked his private secretary to phone the Thai team to tell them that he was watching the match on TV," Wanchai wrote.
With the King's encouragement, Thailand rallied and even if they lose 2-3 that night they won 4-3 on total points. The success finally ended Thailand's 12-year title drought in the Southeast Asian tournament.
"Brilliant," Dr Udom quoted the King's comment after the successful match which he motivated.
Photo shows Somjit Jongjohor with his 2008 Olympic boxing gold medal.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024