Nattapong won his first round against an Uruguayan fighter but was stopped in round two by Iran's Behzad Khodadad, a silver medallist in the World Championships.

The Iranian went on to claim the gold medal by beating Chao-Hsuan Hsueh of Taiwan. Sung Ho Jung of South Korea and Bruno Garcia Fernandez of Spain finished third. Thai hopes now rest on last year's World University Games gold medallist Patiwat Thongsalap and Asian Championships gold medallist Chonnapas Premwaew.

They were to battle it out later yesterday with Patiwat competing in the men's lightweight class and Chonnapas in the women's featherweight division.

Seeds romp

Top seeds stormed their way into the third round of the inaugural Thailand Masters Professional Badminton Championships in Rayong yesterday.

In the men's division, favourite Peerasak Wiriyaphadungpong, who received a first round bye, defeated Panuwat Pisalthanakul 21-9 24-22. Second-seeded Jakkrapan Thanateeratham and third-seeded Tawan Huansuriya got walk overs from Chanda Srichana and Pornwiwat Sangsa-opas.

In the women's category, Pitchapat Chareonphol moved into the second round after trouncing Krittaporn Likhitsap 21-19 21-10. She faces fourth-seeded Preeya Lertsrimongkhol. In another women's match, Tassamon Sangkhawatthana cruised into the second round as rival Kewalin Akkharakulchai retired with an injury while trailing 21-19.