Karatekas chop through opposition for two more gold<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Cebu City<\/p>\n
A pair of golds from Umar Syarief and Christo Mondolu on
\nMonday's second day of the karate competition brought the
\nnational squad's total to four -- equaling its 2003 haul and
\nleaving it one short of its target.<\/p>\n
In the 75 kg individual kumite, Umar beat Malaysian Jarvis
\nAnak Julian 1-0 in extra time after a seesaw, nervy battle that
\nwas tied at 6-6 at the end of regular time.<\/p>\n
Umar, gold medalist in the open weight division in 2003,
\nseemed to be coasting to victory when he led 4-0. He was
\npenalized several times and the Malaysian caught up and then took
\nthe lead.<\/p>\n
With less than 10 seconds left in the bout, Umar was fortunate
\nto force the draw after the referee penalized Jarvis.<\/p>\n
A blow to his opponent's stomach gave the 27-year-old
\nIndonesian the victory.<\/p>\n
"I was very emotional in the final, so I lost control when I
\ntook a 4-0 lead. But I never gave up, I had nothing to lose as my
\nopponent wasn't able to hit me and only got points through the
\nreferee's penalties."<\/p>\n
"I think his experience made the difference," said Jarvis, 24,
\nwho has now lost all four of his encounters against Umar.<\/p>\n
Christo, competing in the men's under 75 kg, appeared hesitant
\nat the beginning of his bout against Rayner Kinsiong of Malaysia,
\nthe opponent who beat him in the last four of the 2003 SEA Games.<\/p>\n
Christo quickly fell behind 0-2, winning his first point with
\n30 seconds left. With only two seconds left, he tied up the
\nmatch.<\/p>\n
Both fighters were overly cautious in extra time, finally
\nletting loose in the last few seconds. It was then that Christo
\ncame through by landing the winning strike.<\/p>\n
"It's my revenge from the loss in the 2003 SEA Games," Christo
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
As well as its golds from Monday and its two kumite team gold
\non Sunday, the country also has three silver and three bronze.<\/p>\n
More golds may await on Tuesday's final day of competition,
\nwhen Umar defends his title in the open weight division, with
\nBambang Maulidin competing in the under 55 kg class, Donny
\nDharmawan (-60 kg) and Rizky Syahban (-65 kg).<\/p>\n
In the women's competition, Telly Melinda vies in the 48 kg
\nclass, and Nurahmi K.S. in the women's open weight.<\/p>",
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