Lody, Dewi expected to get gold once again<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
As was the case two years ago in Vietnam, aerobics gymnast
\nLody and artistic gymnast Dewi Prahara are considered most likely
\nto win gold in the upcoming 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Gymnastics Association (Persani) secretary-general
\nAsep Sulaeman said recently the pair -- the country's only top
\npodium finishers in gymnastics at the 22nd Games -- were expected
\nto repeat in the Philippines.<\/p>\n
\"Lody is training hard to compete in the SEA Games this year,
\nwhile Dewi is now training in Rumania to improve her chance to
\nwin gold.\"<\/p>\n
He also hoped 2003 SEA Games silver medalists Fahmi (aerobic)
\nand Muhammad Adila Akbar (artistic) would be able to improve from
\ntheir silvers of two years ago to land gold this time around in
\nthe Philippines.<\/p>\n
Asep acknowledged that the country's chances in the sport were
\nlimited, because several neighboring countries had established
\nstrong gymnastics development programs.<\/p>\n
\"Thailand, Vietnam and probably the host will dominate the 24-
\ndivision gymnastics competition in the SEA Games ...\"<\/p>\n
He included the host country among the top contenders because
\nVietnam triumphed in the sport two years ago even though it was
\nnot considered favorite.<\/p>\n
Apart from the two golds and silvers, Indonesia took four
\nbronze in 2003.<\/p>\n
With gymnastics offering a considerable number of medals,
\nPersani and the National Sports Council (KONI) realized the need
\nfor better development of gymnasts.<\/p>\n
Dewi was among a group of seven artistic gymnasts sent to
\ntrain in Rumania three months ago. Three others are training in
\nRussia, with the rest based in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
A total of 24 gymnasts are in training for the Games,
\nconsisting of 11 men -- six in artistic and five in aerobic --
\nand 13 women -- six in artistic, four in rhythmic and three in
\naerobic.<\/p>\n
Asep said the gymnasts appeared to be doing well in Rumania,
\nalthough there were no recent events to compare their form to
\ntheir peers in the region.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the athletes experienced late delivery of their
\nallowances during training.<\/p>\n
\"The athletes training in Rumania are very young and for some
\nof them it's their first overseas experiences. If the allowances
\nare late, they are very miserable because it seems there is no
\nconcern from KONI,\" he said.<\/p>",
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