Indonesian athletes rule the roost in karate<\/p>\n
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Indonesia lived up to its status as
\nthe region's karate powerhouse by taking five of the six karate
\ngold medals up for grabs on the first day of the 20th Southeast
\nAsian (SEA) Games here on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Abdullah Kadir gave Indonesia an ideal start with a gold medal
\nin the men's individual kata. The trio of Wahyu Widayat, Aswan
\nAli and Elias Tande followed suit with the men's team kata gold.<\/p>\n
The women's events further confirmed Indonesia's karate
\ndominance, with kata specialist Omita Olga Ompi winning a record
\nfifth straight SEA Games gold. Endang Trimurti Wulandari, Fitria
\nMega and Merani Mega Sjawkat completed Indonesia's sweep in kata
\nwith a victory in the team event.<\/p>\n
Hasan Basri, Sonny S, Umar Syarif, Nofilus Jokai and Arif
\nTaufan Syamsudin gave Indonesia its final gold medal in the men's
\nkumite fighting event. Their female counterparts had to settle
\nfor the bronze, with Malaysia triumphing in the women's event by
\ndefeating Vietnam in the final.<\/p>\n
Kadir showed his mastery of the empi and unshu martial arts
\nmovements, scoring a 79 on his way to winning Indonesia's maiden
\ngold medal at this year's Games.<\/p>\n
Malaysian Jin Keat and Richard Anthony Lim of the Philippines
\ntook the silver and bronze, respectively.<\/p>\n
Kadir, who plans to get married and retire next year, was
\njubilant after learning he won Indonesia's first gold of the
\nevent.<\/p>\n
\"I just learned that I was competing in the first gold medal
\nevent of the Games. I didn't realize that I won the first gold
\nfor Indonesia. It's great to end my career with a gold,\" Asian
\nGames bronze medalist Kadir said.<\/p>\n
He hailed his Malaysian and Philippine opponents, but said
\nexperience helped him come out on top. \"I have met them so many
\ntimes that I knew what to do to win.\"<\/p>\n
State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono and
\nNational Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar
\njoined the victory celebration at the 500-seat karate hall in the
\nRoyal Brunei Airlines Sports Complex.<\/p>\n
Aswan said he and his friends were tense before stepping into
\nthe hall, citing the psychological pressure to retain the title
\nthey won on home soil two years ago.<\/p>\n
\"It's more difficult to defend a title than to win one.
\nFortunately, we managed to overcome the mental pressure,\" Aswan
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Omita received a 42 for her basaisho performance, equal to the
\nscore received by Malaysian Lim Lee Lee. But the judges awarded
\nthe gold to Omita for her \"convincing steps\", according to an
\nIndonesian official. Armi B. Yap of the Philippines finished
\nthird for the bronze.<\/p>\n
A tearful Omita was thankful for her victory. \"I was sure that
\nGod would help me do my best in my last performance.\"<\/p>\n
The 30-year-old karateka said she would retire after these SEA
\nGames, citing age, job and family.<\/p>\n
\"I hope to have children. I always dreamed of training them
\nand making them karate champions,\" said Omita, who married Decky
\nApelesticoalo last year.<\/p>\n
Agung praised Indonesia's karatekas, but said he was not
\nsurprised by their performance. \"I predicted this outcome. I hope
\nthe good start they made will give a boost to their teammates.\"<\/p>\n
Agung also promised to give cash bonuses to SEA Games
\nmedalists. However, he declined to specify the amount, saying it
\nwould be left up to KONI. (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesian-athletes-rule-the-roost-in-karate-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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