Oh upbeat taekwondo team can win medal<\/p>\n
Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesia's taekwondo athletes for the upcoming Olympics,
\nJuana Wangsa Putri and Satriyo Rahadani, stand a good chance of
\nwinning a medal, says coach Oh Ill Nam.<\/p>\n
Oh told The Jakarta Post after an afternoon practice session
\nat Bung Karno sports complex that both athletes were in good
\ncondition after recently returning from two months in South
\nKorea.<\/p>\n
He said that they only needed to sharpen their skills.<\/p>\n
"Over the next few days we'll try to refine their kicking
\ntechnique so that it is perfect. We still have three weeks before
\nleaving for Athens on Aug. 17," Nam said.<\/p>\n
Oh said that he had observed a number of taekwondo tournaments
\nin Asia and Europe over the last few months, in order to prepare
\nan efficient training program for his proteges.<\/p>\n
"From what I have seen, I can say that I am not worried (about
\ntheir prospects) at all," he said.<\/p>\n
Juana, who competes in the 49-kilogram division, grabbed a
\ngold medal at the Olympics qualification tournament at Stade
\nPiere de Coubertin in Paris, France, in December last year.<\/p>\n
While optimistic about Juana's chances, Oh sees that Satriyo
\npotentially faces a tougher task. But said he would rate
\nSatriyo's prospects as equal with the others.<\/p>\n
"It's a bit difficult in the men's category. There's not much
\ndifference between the strength of one country and another -- so,
\nI can say that their performances are nearly equal," Nam said.<\/p>\n
Satriyo secured his Olympic ticket through a Bangkok
\nqualifying field early this year where he won a silver in the 58-
\nkilogram division.<\/p>\n
"I think strong rivalry will come from Spain, China, Thailand
\nand Chinese Taipei, but I think we will be prepared for them," Oh
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Juana and Satriyo are among 39 Indonesians who will compete in
\n14 sports in the Athens Olympics, which begins on Aug. 13.<\/p>",
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