Indonesia aims for three taekwondo golds in Games<\/p>\n
By Primastuti Handayani<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Taekwondo Association (TI) is one
\namong several sports organizations which focus its top athletes
\nfor the 2000 Olympics and field newcomers in the 20th Southeast
\nAsian (SEA) Games without any intention of underestimating the
\nbiennial event.<\/p>\n
TI is being realistic by only targeting three of 16 golds on
\noffer because it groomed five seniors of its 16 athletes for the
\nGames in Brunei Darussalam from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.<\/p>\n
TI secretary-general Ahmad Zarkasih Hamid said two golds were
\nexpected from the women's side and another one from the men's. He
\ndeclined to say, however, which athletes would likely contribute
\nthe golds.<\/p>\n
South Korean coach Oh Il-nam said the gold medals were
\nexpected to come from senior players including Andri Halim, Sinta
\nBerliana Heru, Ade Novriza and Nico Ardiansyah.<\/p>\n
Oh expressed concern, however, on his long absence at the
\ntaekwondo training center in South Jakarta as he is also focusing
\nhis attention on the top Taekwon Doins, who are being prioritized
\nto qualify for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Taekwondo will make
\nits debut as a medal sport in the quadrennial event.<\/p>\n
So far, only Juana Wangsa Putri in the women's finals has
\nqualified for the Olympics after reaching the semifinals in the
\nOlympics qualification in Croatia in mid-July. Three other
\nathletes -- Dominggus Boro, Veronica Widyarini and Satrio
\nRahardani -- will try their best at the Asian Regional
\nChampionships in Manila in September.<\/p>\n
\"I'm so busy that I hardly have time to supervise the
\ntraining. They are coached by my assistants and I don't have
\nenough time left to prepare them,\" Oh said, adding that athletes
\nwere gathered since May 14 for the training program.<\/p>\n
\"I haven't seen their training but I have handed out the
\nprograms to be conducted.\"<\/p>\n
Oh said there was not enough time for a tryout.<\/p>\n
\"Some athletes have competed in several domestic championships
\nbut the rivals quality may not meet their standard.\"<\/p>\n
The preparation this year is shorter than two years ago when
\nnational athletes spent several weeks in South Korea for an
\noverseas stint.<\/p>\n
To cover the lack of tryouts, TI hired a coach from the
\nMarines, Sukarji, to improve seven female and eight male
\nathletes' physical condition and competitiveness.<\/p>\n
\"Our athletes always have problems with their killer instinct
\nbefore fighting. Hopefully, our new measure will help them
\novercome their mental barrier.\"<\/p>\n
In general, Zarkasih named the Vietnamese and Filipinos as
\ntough rivals.<\/p>\n
Barrier<\/p>\n
Oh said a lack of experience was the main barrier for the
\nyoung athletes.<\/p>\n
\"They have never competed in the SEA Games before and this
\nyear they don't have any sparring partners or overseas tryouts.\"<\/p>\n
Oh expressed disappointment with himself after 10 years
\nexperience of training in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"In Indonesia, athletes return home after an event, just like
\nwhat happened after the 1998 Asian Games. We must start from
\nscratch to boost their physical condition and technical skills to
\nreach a standard.\"<\/p>\n
\"A Taekwon Doin must train continuously. Just like what I am
\ndoing with Satrio and Juana. I hope both of them can fulfill my
\nambition to produce a world champion from Indonesia.\"<\/p>\n
Taekwondo team members:<\/p>\n
Men's: Nico Ardiansyah (finweight), Satriono (flyweight), Derry
\nDermansyah (bantamweight), Yoga Perdana Priambodo
\n(featherweight), Fadly Potu (lightweight), Bayu Frimansyah
\n(welterweight), Joko Arianto (middleweight), Andri Halim
\n(heavyweight)<\/p>\n
Women's: Ade Novriza (finweight), Marce Novita Latusallo
\n(flyweight), Desy Nurhayati (bantamweight), Jusmiati
\n(featherweight), Veronica Widyarini (lightweight), Sinta Berliana
\nHeru (welterweight), Ertina Nopi Yanti (middleweight), Santi
\nAgustini (heavyweight)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-aims-for-three-taekwondo-golds-in-games-1447893297",
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