Name: Panipak Wongpattanakit
Nickname: “Tennis”
Born: 8 August 1997
Nationality: Thai
Known for: Taekwondo world champion
Medals: 21 gold medals
Instagram: @panipak2540
TikTok: panipak2540
Panipak’s Career Record
Panipak Wongpattanakit is nothing short of a sports phenomenon in Thailand! Her career is a dazzling array of achievements, notably becoming a world champion in women’s taekwondo and amassing an astounding 21 gold medals. With her eyes now on the Olympic Games Paris 2024, Panipak’s journey is far from over.
Panipak’s international acclaim began in 2015 when she emerged victorious at the World Taekwondo Championships, earning her first world title. Her meteoric rise continued, and by 2016, she had claimed a bronze medal at the Rio Summer Olympics.
Despite this success, Panipak had her sights set firmly on gold. Recalling her feelings during an interview with the Bangkok Post, she admitted, “I had a really good chance in Rio but in a fraction of a second, I blew it. I was so disappointed.”
Disheartened by the near miss, Panipak considered quitting taekwondo. She shared with her coach the profound sense of defeat she felt, stating, “I did not want to keep going. But after two months, I really missed taekwondo and resumed training.”
This fierce athlete’s return to the sport was nothing short of magnificent. By 2017, she had earned another World Championships bronze medal, marking a turning point that heralded her dominant reign. The following year, Panipak secured her first Asian Games gold medal in the 49 kg category.
Her prowess continued to shine in 2019, when she seized a gold medal in the flyweight division at the World Championships. Her exceptional talent and unrelenting dedication were recognized when she was awarded Female Athlete of the Year by World Taekwondo at the 2019 World Taekwondo Gala Awards.
Securing Thailand’s First Taekwondo Gold Medal
The highlight of Panipak’s career came during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, where she delivered a groundbreaking performance that not only secured her first Olympic gold medal but also marked Thailand’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in taekwondo. This moment was a double triumph, both personally for Panipak and as a monumental achievement for the nation. Thailand, boasting 35 Olympic medals, now triumphantly holds 10 golds, leading Southeast Asia.
Adding to her impressive medal tally, Panipak earned a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships and later clinched her 10th Grand Prix gold medal in the 49 kg category in June 2023. Her relentless pursuit of excellence continues to solidify her status as a powerhouse in global taekwondo.
With her heart set on the Paris 2024 Summer Games, scheduled from July 26th to August 11th, Panipak is determined to add yet another gold medal to her illustrious career. The world will be watching, eagerly anticipating her next triumph on the Olympic stage.
Panipak is such an inspiration! Winning Thailand’s first gold in taekwondo is incredible.
For sure, but let’s not forget the pressure on athletes. One slip can ruin everything.
You’re right, but Panipak has shown resilience. She came back stronger after her disappointments.
I don’t understand why taekwondo is even an Olympic sport. It’s not popular globally compared to others.
That’s not fair. Every sport has its own community and global following.
Exactly, and the martial arts community is huge! Panipak’s achievements bring attention to the sport.
Meh, I still think they should focus on more mainstream sports.
Mainstream or not, Panipak’s dedication and success are undeniable.
What a journey! From nearly quitting to being a world champion, truly remarkable.
Yeah, but isn’t that what separates champions from the rest? The ability to bounce back.
Hard work and mental toughness are key. Panipak has both in spades.
Her story is similar to many top athletes. Failures make the taste of victory even sweeter.
Honestly, I think modern Olympics have too many sports. Do we really need taekwondo?
The diversity of sports is what makes the Olympics special. It’s not just about mainstream appeal!
Agreed. Panipak’s success highlights the importance of having a variety of sports.
I didn’t know she earned 21 gold medals! That’s a true legend right there.
It’s great to see athletes like Panipak getting recognition. She deserves all the accolades.
Absolutely. Stories like hers motivate others to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles.
Recognition is good, but let’s see if she can keep up the momentum for Paris 2024.
How do we even quantify her success against other athletes? Different sports have different benchmarks.
The Olympics are about celebrating all sports and athletes. Each has their own greatness.
Winning Thailand’s first taekwondo gold says a lot about her influence on the sport.
People need to chill about which sports should be in the Olympics. All athletes work hard.
True, it’s all about passion and dedication. Panipak exemplifies that completely.
Panipak is a terrific role model for young athletes. Her perseverance is truly commendable.
Great role models like her can change the narrative for so many kids.
How does her journey compare to other athletes who have returned from disappointment?
Imagine the hype if she wins gold again in Paris. That would be legendary!
Panipak has set the bar high. Her journey shows the power of not giving up.