Five swimming golds targeted at SEA Games<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia expects to win at least five swimming
\ngold medals in the coming SEA Games in October, an official said.<\/p>\n
Having observed their intensive training in the United States,
\nRadja M. Nasution, a national swimming trainer said Sunday it was
\npossible the country's swimmers could win five golds at the
\nGames.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Swimming Association recently sent eight
\nswimmers to the United States and one to Australia. Those sent to
\nUSA were top national swimmer Richard Sam Bera, Wisnu Wardhana,
\nAlbert C. Sutanto, Denny Kurniawan, Audi Oktavian, Olga Halim and
\nElsa Manora Nasution. Chaterine Surya was sent to Australia.<\/p>\n
Two swimmers, Meitri Widya Pangestika and Rita Mariani, were
\nnot sent overseas because of their school commitments. Both are
\nin their last grade of senior high school and will soon be taking
\nexaminations.<\/p>\n
Radja said Indonesia's poor showing in the pool during the
\n1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was simply because the
\nother competitors were better trained.<\/p>\n
"Now the situation has changed, the swimmers have undergone
\nintensive training both in the USA and Australia. I expect them
\nto achieve similar results as at the 1994 Asian Games," Kompas
\nquoted Radja as saying.<\/p>\n
At the 1995 SEA Games, Indonesia captured four golds from
\nswimming while in the 1994 Asian Games, Indonesia did not take
\nany golds but many national records were broken.<\/p>\n
According to Radja, the local male swimmers could well strike
\ngold in the 50m and 100m freestyle events. Indonesia also has a
\ngood chance in the women's 100m butterfly, 200m backstroke and
\n400m medley events, he added.<\/p>\n
"I know it is quite difficult but I am confident we can do
\nit," Radja said.<\/p>\n
Cycling<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Sofian Ruzian, secretary-general of the Indonesian
\nCycling Association said Saturday that six national cyclists
\npreparing for the SEA Games will take part in the Tour de
\nLangkawi in Malaysia from Feb. 19 to March 2.<\/p>\n
The cyclists are Tonton Susanto, Muhammad Basri, Muhammad
\nHamdi, Teguh Eko Pambudi, Nunung Burhanudin and Krisyanto.<\/p>\n
"We have sent the list of cyclists participating in the Tour,
\nwhich covers a distance of 1,478 kilometers over 10 stages. In
\nthe coming Games here, this event will not be contested but this
\nis an important tournament. We want to know how their training is
\ngoing," Sofian said.<\/p>\n
Sofian added that no target had been set in the Tour since
\nworld class cyclists will also be competing. "We only expect the
\ncyclists to improve their endurance and times."<\/p>\n
Cyclists from 13 countries are to take part in the Tour de
\nLengkawi. Four are ASEAN members, Indonesia, Malaysia, the
\nPhilippines and Singapore, and the others are Australia, New
\nZealand, Ireland, France, Denmark, China, Canada, Switzerland and
\nSouth Africa.<\/p>\n
In the coming Tour, the cyclists will be assisted by trainer H
\nTarwi and mechanic Gatot Senjaya. (lnt)<\/p>",
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