Armin spends as much time on water as on land<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Growing up in a fishing neighborhood, Armin, the
\nsingle kayak 1,000 meters gold medal winner, spent as much time
\non the water as on land.<\/p>\n
\"I knew how to row a boat before I was nine years old,\" he
\nsaid with his trademark shy smile. \"And I am the only one of 12
\nchildren who is not a fisherman.\"<\/p>\n
Armin, a son of Andi Masse and Fukuna, was born on Oct. 15,
\n1972 in Labean, near Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, an
\narea where his family has lived for generations.<\/p>\n
The usually reclusive Armin gave up his education after
\nleaving primary school in 1984. \"I gave up my education because I
\nhad younger brothers who had to be supported by my parents.\"<\/p>\n
But he had no idea what he wanted to do. Unlike most children,
\nwho have ideals from early in life, Armin had few experiences on
\nwhich to draw.<\/p>\n
\"I only ever knew about fishing or selling fish as ways of
\nearning money. I thought that's all I could do. I certainly
\ndidn't want a clerical job. And even now I know that I am not
\ngood at that,\" he said.<\/p>\n
With sweat and the Jatiluhur reservoir water still dripping
\nfrom his face and body, he answered all the questions fired at
\nhim but could not understand why people were paying him so much
\nattention.<\/p>\n
He said modestly: \"What should I tell you, I don't have any
\ninteresting stories about myself.\"<\/p>\n
Armin's life changed for ever when a friend, Salman, who was
\nalready a local kayaker, introduced him to the sport in 1991.<\/p>\n
Salman was also responsible for Armin tasting competition on a
\nlarger stage when he submitted his shy friend's name to the
\nnational games committee in 1993.<\/p>\n
Even though he failed on that occasion, Armin was recruited to
\nthe national training center and went to the Chiang Mai SEA Games
\nin 1995 as part of the Dragon boat team and won a gold medal.<\/p>\n
His life on the seashore however, has left an indelible mark
\non the dark-skinned Armin's life.<\/p>\n
He rarely stops reminiscing about his days in Palu and his
\nface lights up when he is asked to recall his homelife.<\/p>\n
\"If I get days off from the training center and a chance to go
\nhome, I still help my family take our boats out to sea and go
\nfishing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
And he spends his holidays in his hometown, going round
\nvisiting all his relations.<\/p>\n
Armin only clammed up when the conversation turned to affairs
\nof the heart. He admitted that the Hanoman doll he was given in
\nthe medal ceremony would be passed on to \"someone special\" but he
\ndeclined to elaborate any further.<\/p>\n
\"She made me win this,\" was all he would say when pressed
\nabout his girlfriend.<\/p>\n
Some of Armin's teammates who escorted Armin to the doping
\ncenterand later to the host's base camp revealed that the seem
\ningly unflappable kayaker was very nervous in the run-up to the
\nrace.<\/p>\n
\"Last night he seemed stunned and kept silent in his room till
\nit was time to get up,\" Teguh, from the dragon boat team said.
\nArmin responded by only giving what is clearly his trademark shy
\nsmile. (04)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/armin-spends-as-much-time-on-water-as-on-land-1447893297",
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