Wongpattanakit claimed the women's 49 kilograms title at the Olympics in Tokyo last month to earn the country's first gold medal in the sport at the Games.

She was also the only Thai athlete to return from Tokyo 2020 with an Olympic gold medal.

The Thai player, a two-times world champion, topped the podium with victory over Spain's Adriana Cerezo.

Thailand has recently been experiencing a spike in COVID-19 infections and has recorded more than one million cases and at least 9,500 deaths from the novel coronavirus.

Prior to yesterday, Thailand topped 20,000 daily cases in 10 out of the last 11 days.

"It is meaningful that Wongpattanakit and I were able to give joy and encouragement with the gold medal to the people in Thailand suffering from the new coronavirus pandemic, as well as write a page in the country's sports history," South Korean-born Choi told the Yonhap news agency.

Wongpattanakit said she was hoping to continue working with Choi through to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, where she will aim to defend her title.

"My coach is strict, and prefers tough and intensive training like his nickname 'Tiger Choi,' but when the training ends, he is very sweet and gentle," she said. 

"I want to work with him as long as I can."

Wongpattanakit returned home last month to a hero's welcome from adoring fans and the promise of almost THB20 million (£435,700/$608,000/€512,700).