Indonesian swimmers aim to be number one in Asia<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian swimmer Richard Sam Bera expressed
\nhope that the national men's 4x100m relay team would be able to
\nreach its ambitious goal to be the best in Asia.<\/p>\n
\"Our best time in the 1999 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in
\nBrunei Darussalam in August was three minutes and 27.69 seconds.
\nThe current number one team, Japan, is only one second faster
\nthan us. If we can be Asia's number one, I think we can be the
\nworld's number six,\" said Richard, while having dinner with the
\nIndonesian Swimming Federation's (PRSI) new chairman, Rahardi
\nRamelan, on Monday.<\/p>\n
The men's team comprises of Richard, Wisnu Wardhana and the
\ntwins Albert and Felix Christiadi Sutanto.<\/p>\n
Richard said the team aimed to finished third in the Asian
\nChampionships in Pusan, South Korea, in March and also qualify
\nfor the 2000 Olympic Games in the A time limit of 3:25.00.<\/p>\n
The team will compete in one of the Grand Prix series in Hong
\nKong on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9.<\/p>\n
\"When we return home from Hong Kong, we will focus our
\nattention on sprint events, especially the twins, as they are
\nstill swimming in the 400 meters,\" said 27-year-old Richard.<\/p>\n
Richard said his main problem was finding the time to practice
\nas he works as a business consultant for the National Development
\nand Planning Board (Bappenas).<\/p>\n
\"I have to start training at 5.30 in the morning before going
\nto the office at 8.00. I then have to practice at 5.30 after
\nworking hours. I only have days off at the weekends. To be frank,
\nI'm a bit worried about my physical condition,\" he said, without
\nany intention of complaining.<\/p>\n
Teammate Wisnu said he wanted to continue his training in the
\nUnited States as he hadn't finished his final term studies.<\/p>\n
\"It's better to train in the United States because there are
\nmore rivals and competitions. Besides, I still have to finish my
\nstudies at a college in Salem, West Virginia,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Albert shared the same ideas about training in the United
\nStates.<\/p>\n
\"It's more fun and we feel more competitive. Here, there are
\nonly four or five of us training in the Senayan swimming pool.
\nIt's not cheerful,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Separately, diving coach Harly Ramayani said that Shenny Ratna
\nAmalia, who has qualified for the Olympics, would also compete in
\nthe Asian Championships.<\/p>\n
\"Prior to the championships, we will send Shenny to compete in
\nthe world championships in Sydney at the end of January. After
\nthat, she will take part in a six-week training camp in Beijing
\nbefore competing in Pusan,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Harly said she believed Shenny would learn a valuable lesson
\nat the training camp.<\/p>\n
\"By having short-time training in Beijing, I really hope that
\nShenny will be able to reach the Olympic semifinals,\" she said,
\nadding that PRSI had agreed to finance the competition and
\ntraining program. (yan)<\/p>",
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