Hua hin: "View" Yaowapa Burapholchai, a former Thai national taekwondo athlete and bronze medalist at the 28th Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, is channeling her passion for sports into nurturing young talent. After retiring from the national team, she has embraced a new role as a full-time taekwondo coach, running a gym for youth at Bluport Hua Hin Shopping Mall in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The gym, open daily, has become a hub for young taekwondo enthusiasts from the Hua Hin district and beyond.
According to Thai News Agency, Yaowapa's program has attracted numerous young athletes, aged 6-13. These budding athletes come from various regions, including Hua Hin district, Buriram province, and the northern region, with their parents registering them every weekend. The training includes both group sessions and intensive one-on-one tutoring, resulting in significant progress. Many of these young athletes, who initially had no prior experience, are now competing and winning medals in various events, leading to a growing interest in the program.
Yaowapa's dedication to youth extends beyond taekwondo. She is also a promoter of Muay Thai competitions, collaborating with the Sports Authority of Thailand to organize events twice a month. These events draw Thai and foreign boxers, enabling young and experienced fighters to compete in standard arenas in Bangkok. Additionally, Yaowapa teaches Jujitsu and offers her coaching services to underprivileged youth, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder access to sports training.
Yaowapa's initiative to open a taekwondo training center stems from her desire to cultivate new generations of athletes. While acknowledging the high skill level of the current Thai national taekwondo team, she emphasizes the importance of developing young talent due to the inherent risks of injury in combat sports. Her goal is to foster an interest in sports among youth as a means to steer them away from drugs, with the hope that some may eventually earn a place on the national team, marking a success for both the athlete and coach.