Oka aims for a repeat gold in Busan<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Busan, South Korea<\/p>\n
Winning an international title is the ultimate goal for most
\nathletes, and even more special if one can repeat as champion. It
\nis also the main ambition for Indonesian windsurfer I Gusti Made
\nOka Sulaksana at the 2002 Asian Games (Asiad) in Busan, which
\nwill kick off Sunday.<\/p>\n
As the reigning champion in the heavyweight mistral-one-design
\nclass, Balinese native Oka dreams of defending his title earned
\nin 1998 in Pattaya, Thailand.<\/p>\n
But ambition does not always go smoothly.<\/p>\n
Oka -- who along with teammate Fadly Faisal arrived here on
\nSept. 7 -- must compete without their coach Bruce Kendall of New
\nZealand.<\/p>\n
\"It's very bad that Kendall could not be here during the races
\nas we definitely need his evaluation,\" Oka said, referring to the
\n1996 Atlanta Olympic gold medalist and the designer of mistral
\nboards.<\/p>\n
\"Kendall is also very familiar with the situation at Haeundae
\nbeach here. His presence will be a great deal for us in competing
\nagainst our rivals,\" the windsurfer said after a practice
\nsession.<\/p>\n
But there's nothing they can do as the National Olympic
\nCommittee (KONI) had announced earlier that they would only pay
\nKendall for two weeks of coaching.<\/p>\n
Complaining over the issue will not do Oka any good, as he
\nhad often requested a foreign coach, only to get KONI's reply of
\n\"financial difficulties\".<\/p>\n
Oka pointed to the trouble factors that might need Kendall's
\nexpertise which included the wind and wave currents in the venue
\nthat change constantly.<\/p>\n
\"Usually the current comes from behind pushing the board. The
\nproblem is added by wind which sometimes disappears. Perhaps
\nthese problems were caused by Busan's hilly geography.<\/p>\n
\"But I am still trying to master both the wave and wind
\ncurrents to know the venue better,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Technical factors are not Oka's main concern. Lack of
\nattention from KONI officials also put a burden on his shoulders.<\/p>\n
\"Fadly and I always feel abandoned. So far, no officials are
\navailable here to accompany us.<\/p>\n
With a touch of envy, Oka pointed to the two Myanmar
\nwindsurfers who get full support from their 11 sports officials.
\nEach windsurfer has a team of trainers and people working on
\ngetting the board just right for the conditions.<\/p>\n
\"It's quite a contrast as Fadly and I must do everything on
\nour own.\"<\/p>\n
Only one person, manager Gurhadi Kartasasmita is slated to
\narrive here Sunday morning.<\/p>\n
Oka didn't achieve his current position easily. He began
\nwindsurfing at the age of 13, thanks to father Rake Adi who was a
\nsurfing instructor before Oka was even born.<\/p>\n
Seeing his son's talent, Rake taught Oka to surf though later
\nhe opposed his son's will to become a full-time windsurfer. Just
\nlike many fathers in Indonesia, Rake wanted Oka to go to
\nuniversity.<\/p>\n
But Oka managed to wipe out his father's doubts by collecting
\nmany titles in international events topped by 1998 Asiad gold
\nmedal after a panel of judges sustained his protests over an
\nalleged violation committed by Kenjo Motokazu of Japan in the
\npenultimate stage.<\/p>\n
As the country's veteran windsurfer, Oka wants to see his
\nyounger compatriots following his steps. But again, he was
\ndisappointed on the fact that the Indonesian Yachting and
\nWindsurfing Association failed to recruit younger athletes and
\nKONI's decision to only send older athletes to the Asiad only to
\ngrab medals.<\/p>\n
\"Other countries, especially from the Southeast Asian
\ncountries, send their young prospects to give them valuable
\ninternational experience.<\/p>\n
\"Some are even here to be practice partners for the veterans.
\nBut experiencing a major sports event like this will be a great
\nasset for their career development,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Oka was sure that several young Southeast Asian windsurfers
\nwould dominate at the 2003 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam
\nafter gaining the experience here, but Indonesia probably would
\nnot be one of them because they have not sent any young talent.<\/p>\n
\"KONI should have given chances for the younger guys to
\ncompete in multisports events like this to foster and develop
\nthem.\"<\/p>\n
Born in Denpasar on April 23, 1971, Oka is married to Made Dwi
\nArini and has one daughter, Gusti Ayu Chandra Pertiwi. He is also
\nbeginning to do some coaching much like his father did.<\/p>\n
\"I'm doing this to find young talented athletes and I don't do
\nit (coaching) for money,\" said Oka, who runs a small windsurfing
\nshop to support his family.<\/p>\n
\"I want my students to be disciplined. I hate when they come
\nlate and I usually punish them by making them stay out in the
\nwater for hours.\"<\/p>\n
For Oka, windsurfing is not merely a hobby but a career.<\/p>\n
\"Windsurfing has always been with me since my childhood. I
\ndon't intend to switch to another sport or job should I be
\noffered.\"<\/p>\n
Being a defending champion at the Asiad has made him hungrier
\nto repeat.<\/p>\n
\"I never want to give up. I will always look for victories.\"<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/oka-aims-for-a-repeat-gold-in-busan-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }