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Best award: My son Athens
Bangkok - Thai light welterweight Manus Boonjumnong credits the support of his country's king for helping him win the gold medal at the Olympics.
"It was the blessing of His Majesty the King that gave me the power to win the gold medal," a joyous Manus told reporters after the bout, referring to the Thai king, Bhumibol Adulyadej. "I will present the medal to His Majesty the King when I get back home."
However, his family in Ratchaburi province, 95km west of Bangkok, on Sunday ascribed his victory to the spirit of his late trainer and various local dieties, including the monkey god Hanuman.
Manus won his gold medal on Saturday night, beating Yudel Johnson Cedeno of Cuba 17-11. It was the third gold of the Athens games for Thailand, following up the victories of two women weightlifters.
The boxer has been guaranteed prizes and rewards worth at least 20 million baht (US$480 000) from the government and various private companies.
But "the reward that he's most looking forward to hold," said his wife, Lek, is his six-week-old son - presciently named Athens, after the scene of his triumph.
Due to a rigorous training schedule and several bouts abroad, Manus has had no chance to see his infant son, the couple's second child.
Thousands of people gathered at his family's home Saturday night to watch the fight, which was broadcast shortly after midnight Thai time, and they stayed to celebrate until dawn.
During the match, the boxer's father and mother clutched pictures of the King and their son's first boxing trainer, Lt. Pansawat, to their chests for luck.
And because Manus was born in the Year of the Monkey, his wife prayed beforehand at a shrine to the monkey god for good fortune.
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