Futsal player Muhammad Osamanmusa and women’s world No.1 golfer Atthaya “Jeeno” Thitikul were selected as the best male and female professional athletes, reports the Bangkok Post.
The SAT announced the award recipients at a ceremony during the National Sports Day at Bangkok’s Huamark Indoor Stadium presided over by Capt Thamanat Prompow, deputy prime minister and agriculture minister.
The event was postponed from Dec 16 last year so that the results of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, which took place between Dec 9-20, and the 13th ASEAN Para Games athletes, held between Jan 20-26, could be considered and recognised.
The event is held annually on National Sports Day on Dec 16 to honour His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great, who himself was a fine athlete in several disciplines.
The late King won a gold medal in sailing at the Southeast Asian Peninsular (SEAP) Games (now the SEA Games) in 1967. He claimed the title on Dec 16, which has since become Thailand’s National Sports Day.
The best junior amateur athletes were sprinter Puripol Boonson and badminton player Anyapat Phichit- preechasak.
World champion Weeraphon edged out another world champion, taekwondo star Banlung Tabtimdang and badminton player Kunlavut Vitidsarn to win his category.
Teqball star Jutatip beat out the competition from Nutcharut Wongharuthai (snooker) and Punrawee Ruenros (formerly Jutamas Jitpong, boxing).
Puripol, who became the first Southeast Asian sprinter to go under 10 seconds in the 100 metres at the 33rd SEA Games, was voted ahead of Sirawut Rungratkasikul (esports) and Thitiphat Preechayan (table tennis).
Anyapat topped her category, finishing ahead of Thanaporn Saetia (weightlifting) and Miyu Suzuki (jiu-jitsu).
The best professional Muay Thai fighter award for men went to Tichakorn Sripromma (Khunsueklek Boomdeksian) and Arissara Noon-eiad (Mongkutpetch) was named the best female fighter.
Wheelchair racer Pongsakorn Paeyo and wheelchair fencer Saysunee Jana, who both won gold at the 13th ASEAN Para Games, were named the best male and female disabled athletes.
The best team awards went to the women’s volleyball team (sports) and the mixed badminton team (events) while the blind football squad won the best disabled team award.
The best foreign coach award went to Lukman of the national weightlifting team, while Kris Assawapimonporn was named the best professional coach (golf).
The jiu-jitsu Association of Thailand won the best sport association award, while the Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand was also honoured.
All the winners received royal trophies.