Thai boxers hope to emulate national hero

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Sydney: With national hero Somluck Kamsing already out, Thailand's last two Cuban-trained boxers in the Olympic competition fight on Friday for a chance to go for gold.

Wijan Ponlid takes on Vladmir Sidorenko of Ukraine in a semi-final of the 51-kg division, while Pornchai Thongburan has a very tough semi-final in the 71-kg class against Romanian Marin Simion, one of the pre-tournament favourites.

Both Thais are hoping to repeat the success of Kamsing, who won his nation's first Olympic gold in Atlanta.

Their coach Juan Fontanils, who hails from Caribbean boxing powerhouse Cuba, said before the Sydney Games that his aim was to improve on Atlanta, where Thailand won a gold and a bronze.

South Korea look to add to the gold and silver they have won so far in the new Olympic sport of taekwondo, with Lee Sun-hee winning her quarter-final match against Finland's Kirsimarja Koskinen in the 67-kg division.Japan's Yoriko Okamoto won her first-round fight.

Japan will be seeking to overtake Russia for the synchronised swimming team title after trailing slightly at the end of the technical routine. The Russians were awarded 98.800 points and will take 35 per cent of that - 34.580 - through to Friday's final, to be added to 65 per cent of the marks for their concluding free routine.

Japan were a close second, with 98.600 points. They take 34.510 through to the final. Japan have won five golds so far, one less than South Korea, but far behind Asian sporting giant China with 26 - 10 more than they won in Atlanta.China should do well in men's platform diving, with Xiong Ni, who won the springboard, one of the favourites.



(c) Reuters Limited.