Muaythai fighter Prakaidao Paakmalee has become the only Thai female gold medalist of the Busan Games after beating Diana Yakovleva of Ukraine, while all the seven male fighters have advanced to the finals.

Prakaidao Paakmalee, who is also known by her ring name as Jomyutying Kiat Nor Wor, was the only Thai female fighter who survived to the final round. She managed to beat her Ukrainian opponent by scores on September 30 and won the gold of the 51-kilogram weight class of the muaythai tournament in the TreX-Games Busan 2008 in South Korea.

Each of the seven Thai muaythai male athletes has won his semifinal on the same day and is only one match away from the gold medal.

Suthep Lalakorn, ring named Nonglek Kiatthongsing, of the 48-kilogram weight class has defeated a Turkish fighter with ease in his semifinal, while Sornsiri Rassarong, or Binla Meenayothin, was the next Thai to cruise into the final after beating his Belarusian opponent in the 51-kilogram class.

Sarttra Plinarum, or Yodsian Pomkwannarong, of the 54-kilogram class won over a tough Ukrainian opponent in a close call.

Kittisak Boonsemsen, or Sakmongkul Lukprabaht, of the 57-kilogram class defeated another Ukrainian fighter, while twin fighters Panupong Tanjad or Petbandon Thongkhunheng and Panupan Tanjad or Denbandon Thongkhunheng defeated their opponents in the 60-kilogram and 63.5-kilogram class respectively.

Lastly, Somkid Tumanin of the 67-kilogram class defeated a Belarusian and earned his spot in the final.

All seven male athletes will fight in their final bouts on October 1, while Sakchai Tupsuwan, President of the Amateur Muaythai Federation of Thailand, praised the athletes for fighting honorably and for not “embarrassing” the country.

He said he would arrange for prize awards for the fighters and the coaches despite the lack of government support.