Nattapong, 20, who has yet to show his hidden talent in any major competition, enjoyed a first-round bye. He later outscored Afghan Rohullah Nikpai 2-0 in the last eight before going up against a much stronger Jordanian, Faris al-Assaf, in the quarter-finals, where he won with the same margin 2-0.

The Thai youngster caused a major sensation in the semi-finals when he stunned Athens Olympics champion Mu Yen Chu from Taiwan in a thriller 2-1 to book a final berth. In the gold-medal contest, Korean You, who claimed the gold medal at this year's Asian Championships in Bangkok, proved an impossible nut to crack for Nattapong and the Thai challenger lost 0-1. Nattapong picked up the silver medal.

"He was good and well-prepared. I did my best," said Nattapong. "Although I could not win the gold, I'm happy with my show in my first Asian Games. However, I wondered why I did not get a point in the second round. I think I kicked him right into his body, but I was not awarded the point," he said.

Earlier, team-mate Natthaya's attempt to prove her talent in the final showdown was foiled by Korean Kwon Eun-kyung, also a gold medallist at this year's Asian Championships.

Teenager Natthaya, who also received a first-round bye, powered past Nepal's Padma Gurung 6-2 in the last-eight round. The rising Thai star, a beaten quarter-finalist at this year's Bangkok World Cup Team Championships, tamed Japanese Ai Yamaji 3-0 in the quarter-finals.

However, Natthaya could not maintain her superb form to the end as she was sent packing by Korean Kwon 6-3 in the semi-finals. Despite the loss, she claimed the bronze medal.

"It's a pity my standing spot suited Kwon's attempt to kick my head, which earned her two points. I think I made a mistake on that. If not, she would not have got a chance to kick me and if the scores were equal, the winner would have been decided by a sudden death," Natthaya, 18, said.

In the men's bantamweight 62kg quarter-final yesterday, Nacha Punthong lost to Korean Kim Ju-young 3-7 in a rematch of the World University Taekwondo Championships in Valencia where the Thai stunned his rival to win the gold medal.

The Taekwondo Association of Thailand had expected their athletes to win two gold medals from these Games, but they have so far won five medals including three silver from women's lightweight Chonnapas Premwaew, men's fin-weight Vasuvat Somsawang and men's flyweight Nattapong.

Preechachan

Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Doha