Judoist Krisna Bayu gets olympic berth<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia added a men's judoist to its Olympic
\nteam at the last minute yesterday after Krisna Bayu was awarded a
\nwild card place from the International Judo Federation.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the National Sports Council Wismoyo Arismunandar
\ntold reporters that the wild card was given to 86-kilogram
\nspecialist Bayu without \"an official process.\"<\/p>\n
\"It's an honor for Bayu to take part in the Olympics. But he
\nhas to be responsible for his inclusion in the team by performing
\nas commendably as he can,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will now have 40 athletes competing in 11 sports
\nduring the Games in Atlanta, due to open this Friday.<\/p>\n
Indonesia won no Olympic berths in the final qualifying round
\nin South Korea last November after failing to send any athletes
\nto the competition.<\/p>\n
In January, Bayu was listed among the Asian judoists who
\nqualified for the Olympics based on their tournament records in
\n1995.<\/p>\n
The Asian Judo Association decided the quota for each Asian
\ncountry after several tournaments which serve as Olympic
\nqualifying rounds.<\/p>\n
Bayu shined in the 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai,
\nThailand, last December, by winning two gold medals in the 86kg
\nand open classes.<\/p>\n
Wismoyo said that although 22-year-old Bayu is the only
\nathlete who will have missed the national training program for
\nthe Olympics, he will be ready for the Games.<\/p>\n
\"We have anticipated the chance of him getting the wild card.
\nHe has been training for months,\" Wismoyo said.<\/p>\n
Middleweight Bayu has been undergoing intensive training
\nsessions. He leaves for Atlanta tomorrow.<\/p>\n
He will be accompanied by South Korean coach Lee Byung-uk.<\/p>\n
Bayu will be included in the last batch of the Indonesian
\nOlympic contingent, which also comprises the badminton team and
\ntwo women's tennis players. (yan)<\/p>",
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