Thailand's taekwondo coach Choi: Door still open for Rungrawee

[webfact]

Door still open for Rungrawee
Kitinan Sanguansak
The Nation


Choi Young-seuk

Taekwondo coach Choi has no problem working with her

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's beleaguered taekwondo coach Choi Young-seuk yesterday stressed that he has no qualms about giving his "disciple", Rungrawee Khurasa, who accused him of physical assault at the recent Korea Open, another chance if she wanted to remain in the national team.

The 23-year-old Rungrawee caused a storm last week when she said she was severely punished by the South Korean after her first-round exit in the tournament, where results were taken into account to determine places at Olympics.

The accusations put the future of the long-serving coach, the man credited with the country's rise as one of the continent's leading nations in the Korean martial arts, in doubt. But after taking time to reflect on the incident amid overwhelming calls from Thai fans to comeback, Choi eventually returned to the country on Sunday night before publicly commenting on the allegations at a packed press conference at the Taekwondo Association of Thailand office yesterday.

The 40-year-old Choi, who has coached the Thai team for more than a decade, apologised for the incident and hoped things would end sooner rather than later. He insisted that the door was still open for Rungrawee should she still wants to represent the country.

"I would like to apologise to the Thai people for the incident. I didn't think it would come this far. I really regret for the things that had happened over the last week. I had a chance to follow Koi's [Rungrawee's nickname] interview with Thai media when I was there and was sorry to hear that."

Choi confirmed he had already apologised to Rungrawee personally after the incident and denied that he punched her face ten times as alleged by the athlete. He believed the incident was the result of Rungrawee's lack of experience in competing in international tournaments abroad.

"After punishing her, I called her in to explain why I needed to do that. I spoke to her for about half an hour. If I hadn't cared about her or expected a lot from her, I would have let it go and preferred to do nothing. She appeared to understand that. I also asked her to stay in Korea to continue preparations for Asian Games but she decided to leave the team and fly home.

"I did punish her but it was not as serious as punching her ten times as made out to be. The punishment had nothing to do with winning or losing. I just wanted her to be more determined and put more focus on fights. She is one of the athletes I have high expectations in the upcoming Youth Olympics and Asian Games.

"I would like everything to end as quickly as possible in order to prepare the team for other tournaments. I'm ready to embrace her back into the team if she wants to do so. I am not angry with her. I don't hold grudges. Of course, I am a bit disappointment because everything I do is for the good of athletes.

"I never want to hurt anyone. They're all my family. I see them as my son and daughter, and Koi is no exception. She still has a future with the team. She can still go much further. If I have another chance to coach her again, I'm willing to do so."

The Korean, who received a rock star's welcome by a large cheering crowd at the airport on Sunday, also committed his long-term future to the Thai team. He further promised to bring an Olympic gold medal, which has eluded Thailand so far, to the country.

"I've been here since 2002. I love Thailand even though I'm a Korean. This is my second home. I don't have a written contract with the association because it doesn't matter to me. We work like a family. I don't know how long I would be the coach of the Thai team but I can say that this is the last place I would be coaching.

"I promise that I would try to produce an athlete who will eventually go on and win a gold medal at the Olympics for the country," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/sports/Door-still-open-for-Rungrawee-30239103.html


-- The Nation 2014-07-22

[lostsoul49]

It's quite simple.

If a man physically assault a woman, he should be put in prison.

And we will see how HE enjoys being battered around the ring.

[daveAustin]

Oh, so he beat her up because he cares so much for her just like the 'loving' wife-beaters do? Prick.

[MikeOboe57]

"If I have another chance to beat her again, I'm willing to do so."

[klauskunkel]

Interesting that Choi doesn't mention the actual way he disciplined his disciples, he only ever says "punishment". And as always, the Thai reporters only report and don't ask the question (because they are reporters and not questioners). So, we only know from Rungrawee that she was punched as punishment, not from Choi. So, Choi if you are reading this: How did you punish her? And don't answer me with a Flying Dragon Back Kick...

Btw, not having a written contract ...

Edited July 22, 2014 by klauskunkel

[Baerboxer]

He seems like one of the bad instructors from the "karate kid" type movies. Win at all costs, bully students etc.

If he hit the young lady he should be charged with assault, prosecuted and punished according to the law. Why should he be treated any different to a thug assaulting someone just because he is a sports coach?

Totally unacceptable behavior.

[John1012]

As I understand, she was late for the preparation for her contest. The excuse was that a member of the management team was supposed to call her, and did not. After having spent years preparing for this (and other contests) one would have thought that the athlete would have had enough self awareness and discipline to manage her own time and preparation. Evidently not, perhaps a personal display of Thainess? As it was she underperformed, failing both herslf, her team and her coach. She might have lost anyway, but underperforming due to personal tardiness is no excuse. That the coach physically punished her is of no consequence, in martial arts the teacher is the master, discipline is paramount. To fail through lack of focus at this level is personal and deserves some retribution. Then for the student to whine after being punished, unforgiveable, and shows complete lack of respect for the team, coach, country and no responsibility for her own bad attitude. To all those PC Richard Heads who complain about this, have they ever served as a student of serious martial arts, where the Master is to obeyed , without question, at all times. Where the object is to build inner strength, humility, self confidence, self discipline and a martial skill? I think not. If this girl is to be allowed to continue she needs to seriously analyse herself and rededicate herself to the skill, to suppress her ego . If she quits she will have lost her own self respect through her own failure to try again to succeed.

[chotthee]

This (North) Korea guy must be a role model for Gen Prayuth.

You can criticize his vicious method, but it was he who almost single handed, bring multiple Olympic medals to Thailand.

These medals are worth a lot more that the punishment and harassment.

For the common good, one day all Thai people will thank Gen Prayuth for bring peace to (NK) Thailand.

[iReason]

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This (North) Korea guy must be a role model for Gen Prayuth.

You can criticize his vicious method, but it was he who almost single handed, bring multiple Olympic medals to Thailand.

These medals are worth a lot more that the punishment and harassment.

For the common good, one day all Thai people will thank Gen Prayuth for bring peace to (NK) Thailand.

"These medals are worth a lot more that the punishment and harassment."

I hoping that is sarcasm...