Pino only one punch from Atlanta<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian middleweight boxer Pino Bahari is one
\npunch away from making his Olympic Games debut now that he's
\nreached the semifinals of the Asia-zone championship in Bangkok.<\/p>\n
Pino, a gold medalist in the 1990 Asian Games, clawed back on
\nMonday from a two-point deficit in the first round to edge out
\nKanot Shagatafr of Kazakhstan. The Indonesian will now meet home
\nfavorite Buncha Malison in today's semifinals.<\/p>\n
Both finalists in the championship will qualify for the
\nOlympics in Atlanta, Georgia, slated for July 19 to Aug. 4. The
\nchampionship serves as the last qualifying round for Asian
\nboxers.<\/p>\n
An in-form Pino was too much for Shagatafr in the second round
\nwhen both pugilists engaged in a flurry of close encounters. The
\nexhausting round forced the Kazakhstani side to throw in the
\ntowel when the final round was about to begin.<\/p>\n
Pino was the only Indonesian to win in Monday's bouts.
\nLightweight Bara Gomies and light heavyweight Albert Papilaya
\ncrashed out of the contention for Olympic berths.<\/p>\n
Bara was totally outclassed in his bout against Fumitaka
\nNitami of Japan, who won 6-1. But confusion marred Albert's
\nnarrow defeat to Zhao Yong of China.<\/p>\n
Albert, who cruised to the quarterfinals in the 1992 Olympics
\nin Barcelona, led Zhao 8-7 in the dying seconds of the spirited
\nbout. However, an unclear break order from Pakistani referee
\nAbdul Rashid was interpreted as a warning to Albert by the
\njudges. The warning gave the Chinese two points, which cost
\nAlbert the victory.<\/p>\n
Indonesian team manager Bambang Asmanu said that the judges
\nruled out Indonesia's protest, but promised to discuss the
\ncontroversy in a meeting today. (amd)<\/p>",
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