Tawatchai Prasartsilp (born August 24, 1953), known professionally as Khunponnoi Kiatsuriya (Thai: ขุนพลน้อย เกียรติสุริยา), is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter. He is a former Lumpinee Stadium Super Featherweight Champion who was active in the 1970s.
Biography and career
Khunponnoi started training in May Thai at the age of 12 with his uncle, competing in the Pattani province and in the neighbouring provinces. At 14 he followed his cousin Noppadej to the Kiatsuriya camp in Bangkok.[1]
Khunponnoi reached the status of top fighter in just three years after moving to Bangkok, being matched up with elite opposition by 1974. He defeated Pudpadnoi Worawut by decision for the Lumpinee Stadium 130 lbs title on July 26, 1974.[2] He lost his belt three months later to Wichit Lukbangplasoi.[3] By the end of his career in 1980 received purses as high as 100,000 baht and defeated many notable champions of his era such as Jocky Sitkanpai, Bundit Singprakarn, Narongnoi Kiatbandit or Saengsakda Kittikasem. Between 1979 and 1981 He was part Royal Thai army police.[4][5]
After his career Khunponnoi became a trainer in various camps in Thailand.[6]
^"ขุนพลน้อย เกียรติสุริยา อดีตแชมป์จูเนียร์ไลท์เวทราชดำเนิน" [Khunpolnoi Kiatsuriya Former Junior Lightweight Champion.]. Siam Sports (in Thai). No. 8347. January 10, 2008. p. 27.
