Competing in the men's lightweight class, the local hope picked up an injury while fighting with a Ukrainian, who kicked him on his knee, forcing the referee to stop the contest. In the women's category, SEA Games gold medallist Chonnapas Premwaew lost a thrilling sudden-death bout to South Korean Su Jeong-lim. Both were locked 4 all after three rounds in the featherweight division. The South Korean went on to win the gold medal. Nacha Puntong remained the country's only hope as he reached the final after beating a Russian 4-0 and a Turkey fighter 5-0 in the men's bantamweight category.

Top seed cruises

Top-seeded Peerasak Wiriyaphadungpong took a step closer to winning his maiden Thailand Masters Professional Badminton title after trouncing Siriwat Matayanumat 21-11 21-9 in the men's quarter-finals yesterday.

Peerasak, the country's No 4 who represented Thailand in last year's SEA Games, will next play Saran Choo-cherdrat, who had a tough win 21-3 18-21 21-6 over Zhou Jun Xuan in the quarter-finals. Sappanyu Awihingsanont came from behind to beat Thanongsak Saensomboonsuk 15-21 24-22 22-20 in the quarter-finals and will next play Burma's Lwin Aung, who booked his place after defeating Wasin Nilyok 17-21 21-15 21-8.