Dhawee Umponmaha

Dhawee Umponmaha (; born November 15, 1959), known professionally as Kaopong Sitichuchai , is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter and amateur boxer. He is a former Lumpinee Stadium Featherweight Champion and won a silver medal in boxing at the 1984 Summer Olympics in the Light Welterweight division.

He is the second Thai athlete to win a medal at the Summer Olympics, following Payao Poontarat (whose medal also came in boxing) at the 1976 Summer Olympics. He also holds the distinction of being the only fighter to have defeated the legendary Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn in Muay Thai rules by knockout.

Biography

Early life and Muay Thai career

He is the third of six children. He started fighting at the age of 14 in his native province with Chucheep Chaimongkol as a trainer. In 1974, he traveled to Bangkok to fight for the first time at the major stadiums, Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Stadium. He won the Featherweight (57 kg or 126 lb) title of the Lumpinee Stadium and defended it for four years. He vacated the title to move up to a heavier division. He knocked out the legendary Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn.

Boxing

He then turned to amateur boxing due to Capt. Chanai Pongsupa's persuasion (Torsak Sasiprapa's father), training at Osotspa Club from 1981. He laso made the transition because he wanted to travel abroad. He was successful in many competitions such as the Thailand Championships which he won in 1983 and 1984, he obtained a silver medal in the 1982 Asian Games, a silver medal in the 1982 King's Cup and the gold medal in the 1983 Southeast Asian Games.

Retirement

After retirement, he worked as a public relations officer for Osotspa and as a secretary of Osotspa F.C. (currently Super Power Samut Prakan F.C.) in Thai Premier League. He also has his own cosmetic business.

1984 Olympic results

Round of 64: Defeated Jaslal Pradhan (India) by decision, 5-0 Round of 32: Defeated Charles Owiso (Kenya) by decision, 3-2 Round of 16: Defeated Dave Griffiths (Great Britain) by decision, 4-1 Quarterfinal: Defeated Jorge Maysonet (Puerto Rico) by decision, 5-0 Semifinal: Defeated Mircea Fulger (Romania) by decision, 5-0 Final: Lost to Jerry Page (United States) by decision, 0-5 (was awarded silver medal)

Titles and accomplishments

Lumpinee Stadium 1978 Lumpinee Stadium Featherweight (126 lbs) Champion World Free-style Martial Arts WFMA Welterweight (147 lbs) Champion

Muay Thai record