Danai sets sights on Bt2 million prize
[WORLD UNIVERSIADE] A big bounty awaits local ace Danai Udomchoke if he wins a maiden title at the Bangkok World University Games, which take place from August 8 to 18.
Danai, who is ranked 86th in the world, will be awarded Bt2 million from the National Sports Development Fund if he wins the gold medal. The Asian Games gold medallist strongly hopes to make his debut for the Kingdom, since the Universiade is being held on home soil. The 25-year-old player is confident about his participation in the games, though the event coincides with the US Open, the last Grand Slam of the year. Moreover, he has recovered from his left-knee injury, which forced him out of the Davis Cup tie against Japan recently. Danai reckons that the United States and the Czech Republic will be the toughest contenders at the August games, as their players have varsity tournaments to hone their skills throughout the year and the level of competition is pretty high. The Kingdom's No 1, a law student at Bangkok University, is also tasked with persuading local people to encourage Thai competitors during the games. Thailand took three medals - one gold, one silver and one bronze - from the taekwondo competition through Patiwat Thongsalub, Yaowapa Boorapolchai and Laksami Yumankong respectively at the last games in Izmir, Turkey, two years ago.
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