Double blow for Thai fighter

DOHA, Dec 13 (Reuters) Thai welterweight boxer Angkhan Chomphuphuang was dealt a double blow at the Asian Games today, missing not only a gold medal but the chance of an air force promotion.

Angkhan was hoping a gold medal would earn him the rank of staff sergeant in the Royal Thai Air Force, but after a disappointing fight, he thinks he may have blown his chance.

The referee stopped the 25-year-old's bout with Bakhyt Saesekbayev after two rounds with the Kazakh 28-8 ahead.

''I'm disappointed all round, but I know I gave my best,'' Angkhan told Reuters.

''I may have lost not only the gold medal, but a promotion too. I'll just have to wait and see. It's out of my hands.'' Thailand has often awarded promotions to gold-medal winning athletes who are enrolled in the military, while team selectors and sports federation presidents are often former generals, admirals or air chief marshals.

A boxing title for Angkhan in Doha would have also earned him a place in Asian Games history for winning consecutive gold medals in two different sports.

Originally a ''Muay Thai'' kickboxing champion, Angkhan switched to boxing after winning gold in the Chinese martial art of wushu at the Pusan Games in 2002.

He said he preferred fighting in the ring and ditched wushu after joining the air force boxing team.

REUTERS DH RN2114