Fencer Wiradech Kothny has been suffering a slump in form with a number of poor results in the World Cup series.

Wiradech, or Willie, could only reach the second or third rounds in the first four World Cup tournaments this season and his world ranking in the sabre category has dropped to No 18 from his career best of No 4.

Col Nopporn Sutathen, deputy secretary-general of the Fencing Association of Thailand, said Wiradech had had poor results because he felt stressed from his studies at Bangkok University where he is a freshman in particular the Thai-language subject, which is a compulsory course.

Wiradech, who is an adopted son of a German journalist and was raised in Germany, received Thai citizenship last year. He is still struggling with his Thai language and needs more time to adjust to life in Thailand where he was born.

Wiradech, who failed to make an impact at last year's Asian Games in his first major tournament for Thailand, also has a problem about finding good fencers to train with him in Bangkok as fencing is not a popular sport in the Kingdom.

Nopporn said Wiradech, who won a bronze medal for Germany at the 2000 Olympics, could regain a high-ranking position if he could reach the semi-finals or the final a couple of times in the six remaining World Cup events.

On the other hand, if he continues to struggle, his ranking could plunge to the 30s when the season is over in August, Nopporn said.

”We are trying to encourage him to fight to regain his confidence. We believe that he can make a comeback,” he said.