Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira – We are working for our Olympic gold in the Tokyo 2020 Games

Pichai Chunhavajira02

Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira is the President of the Thailand Boxing Association, the Vice-President of the Asian Boxing Confederation and also the Vice-President of the Thailand National Olympic Committee. Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira travelled to the main events in 2017 and followed the performance of the Thai boxers.
Thailand Boxing Association and their whole staff worked hard to make a memorable ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships this July after hosting the 2015 ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships for the elite men boxers two years ago.
Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira is proud of Thailand’s development, their efforts to host more international competitions and lead the Southeast Asian boxing power to the next golden era in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic era. Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira answered our questions about their developments and strategic plans.

– Could you please introduce your country’s boxing life?
– Thailand is the land of the Muay Thai, the self-defence of Thai people from the early ages until present day. Muay Thai became the human instinct of all Thais either men or women and currently it is the most effective business sport in the country. From old days Muay Thai became the most favourite sport of Thai people alongside with football.
Besides to Muay Thai the Olympic boxing is also well-known in Thailand and it is one of among the favourite sports. Thailand achieved Olympic gold medals in 1996, 2000, 2004 and in 2008, our heroes were Kamsing Somluck, Wijan Ponlid, Manus Boonjumnong and Somjit Jongjohor. Thailand’s best boxers achieved several medals in the Asian Games, AIBA World Boxing Championships and other important international competitions.

– Would you like to tell us your strategic plans for the future and the key developments in your country?
– We are in the beginning of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic era and we have got still three years until the start of the Games but our plans are clear about this. Our goal is to win a gold medal in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games therefore all of our efforts are a road to that success in all aspects of the sport.
We have got developments plans for all age groups and both genders, also for coaches, R&Js and ITOs. Used to be Thailand did not focus well to the junior and youth age groups therefore we have got projects for these youngsters. The Thailand National Boxing Academy was established in the city of Saraburi this year where we hosted the ASEAN Youth Boxing Championships on March.

– What are the main strengths and issues in your boxing life?
– Thailand Boxing could start a new era when the Thai Government gave the full and official support to our association. The Sport Authority of Thailand (SAT) set the four years plan the “Road to Tokyo 2020” to preparing the Thai team for the upcoming Olympic Games. Boxing is the first class sport in the “Road to Tokyo 2020” program with all support also with the private sectors and this project is our main strength right now.