With badminton medal hopes gone, Thai interest turns to golf, taekwando and Amanda (Updated)

Thailand's Porntip Buranaprasertsuk was no match for World No.3 Li Xuerui in badminton, so now the Kingdom's best medal hopes likely lie in women's golf, taekwando and the BMX bicycling, all starting today.

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Afternoon update

Don't forget Amanda

A reader has reminded me not to forget about Amanda Carr, the Thai-American who is competing in the women's BMX. In 2012 she failed to qualify for the US team, but then was discovered by her mother's home country of Thailand. Since then she has been very successful competing for the Kingdom. She is seeded third in the Rio Olympics so she has a chance of winning a medal. The competition begins August 17 at 11:30pm Brazil time or 9:30am tomorrow morning, Thailand time .

Porntip, final badminton Thai hope, eliminated

Online reporters

World No.3 Li Xuerui of China eliminated Thailand's last badminton hopeful, Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, in a largely one-sided match Wednesday (Thailand time).

The experienced Chinese star ran her record against Porntip to 10 wins against three losses with a victory in straight sets, 21-12, 21-17.

The loss left Thailand without a hope of a badminton medal.

Now attention turns to golf and taekwondo. Here is what you can look forward to.

Top women's golf stars seek gold after 116-year wait

RIO DE JANEIRO, AFP – Women's golf returns to the Olympics after 116 years on Wednesday with every top star in the Rio field and anticipation of a unique showdown unlike any major championship.

World number two Ariya Jutanugarn, 20, became the first Thai major winner by capturing last month's Women's British Open. People in her homeland hailed her breakthrough triumph, perhaps only a hint of bigger prizes to come this week.

"They got really excited," Ariya said. "They are really proud, not only of me but to know that a Thai can win at a major tournament."

For the opening round in Rio, Ariya's playing partners will be Stacy Lewis (USA), and Kim Sei-Young (KOR). They tee off at about 9pm Thailand time.

Spotlight turns to Thai teens

Fighters Panipak and Tawin take stage today

Kittipong Thongsombat

Panipak Wongpattanakit will be trying to become Thailand's first ever Olympic champion in taekwondo today.

Since taekwondo became an Olympic event in 2000, Thailand have won one silver (Buttree Puedpong in 2008) and two bronze medals (Yaowapa Burapolchai in 2004 and Chanatip Sonkham in 2012).

The Taekwondo Association of Thailand is brimming with confidence that a 16-year wait for an Olympic medal will be over in Rio.

The country's best bet in the Korean martial art is 19-year-old Panipak, who won the world title in 2015 and claimed the Youth Olympic gold medal in 2014.

The other two Thai fighters at the 2016 Games are Phannapa Harnsujin and Tawin Hanprab, who are inexperienced on the international stage.

Panipak and Tawin will begin their campaigns at about 9pm tonight, Thai time. The finals of their classes are scheduled at 8am tomorrow, Thai time. Each division of taekwondo is a one-day event.

Olympic debutant Panipak should have few problems against Maria Andrade of Cape Verde in her opening bout in the women's 49kg division.

She is then likely to face two-time world champion Kim So-Hui of South Korea for a place in the semi-finals.

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