Malaysia all but crowned SEAG champions<\/p>\n
By Novan Iman Santosa<\/p>\n
KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Malaysia is bracing for a big party to
\ncelebrate a historic win in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.<\/p>\n
On the penultimate day of the 21st holding of the regional
\nsports event, host Malaysia reclaimed the lead in the medal hunt
\nby a margin of six golds ahead of closest rival Thailand.<\/p>\n
Pressing hard to realize its ambition of taking the overall
\ntitle for the first time ever, Malaysia has collected 105 golds,
\ncompared to Thailand's 99.<\/p>\n
Malaysia will have the opportunity of confirming its victory
\non the final day, in which five golds are at stake in equestrian,
\nsynchronized diving and synchronized swimming, all sports the
\nhost team excels in.<\/p>\n
Indonesia added 10 golds on Sunday for an overall total of 72
\nand is certain to finish third for the second time in a row.<\/p>\n
The games were marred by the finding of a positive doping
\ncase, but the organizers would not disclose the athlete's name,
\nnationality or which sport he or she competed in.<\/p>\n
\"I can only confirm there is a positive case. But you will
\nhave to wait for the other details,\" SEAGF president Imran
\nJa'afar told reporters, declining also to reveal whether the
\nathlete had won any medals.<\/p>\n
Malaysia gained its winning golds mostly from rhythmic
\ngymnastics, lawn bowls, synchronized diving and boxing.<\/p>\n
Thailand lived up to its status as the fifth-ranked boxing
\ncountry in the world, winning seven out of 11 golds on offer.
\nHowever, the results would have been even more alarming had the
\nother four Thais overcome their respective opponents.<\/p>\n
Instead, it was the Malaysian and Indonesian boxers who each
\ntook two titles. The Philippines, with two finalists and Laos
\nwith one, failed in their efforts.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's Bonyx Saweho was too quick for Thai Keaw
\nPongprayoon, winning the gold with a 24-15 win in the 45-kilogram
\ndivision on the day when compatriot Albert Papilaya beat Pornchai
\nThongburan of Thailand 15-7 in the 81kg division.<\/p>\n
\"My boxers are very good,\" said Indonesia's Cuban coach Carlos
\nJerus.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian contingent took one gold each in tennis, golf,
\npool, and five in pencak silat, the traditional martial art
\npopular in the Southeast Asian nations.<\/p>\n
The only gold of the day meant that Indonesia failed to make a
\nmajor impression on the tennis court, with Thailand taking the
\nother two.<\/p>\n
Indonesia surprised Thailand 2-0 to win its first women's team
\ngolf gold, while M. Junarto and Adam Abdurrahim were victorious
\nin the pool competition after beating Kiamko Warren and Tanio
\nVivancio of the Philippines in the 9-ball doubles final.<\/p>\n
The big win for the contingent came in the pencak silat arena
\nwhere it reaped five golds in a competition in which Indonesia
\nprotested over alleged unfair refereeing.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/malaysia-all-but-crowned-seag-champions-1447899208",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}