Sony and Juana named athletes of the year<\/p>\n
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Shuttler Sony Dwi Kuncoro and tae kwon do athlete Juana Wangsa
\nPutri were named 2003 best male and female athletes of the year,
\naccording to a poll by leading sports tabloid Bola.<\/p>\n
The 16th award ceremony, which coincides with the tabloid's
\n20th anniversary, was staged at the Jakarta Playhouse (GKJ) here
\non Friday night.<\/p>\n
\"I am happy and proud to win the award. Thank you to the
\npublic and to those who have assisted me in my career. I hope
\nthis award will motivate me in my future performance,\" Sony,
\nAsian Champion and 22nd SEA Games double gold medalist, said in
\nhis speech.<\/p>\n
The best coach award was presented to badminton coach Joko
\nSupriyanto, exactly 10 years after he grabbed the 1993 best
\nathlete award after becoming a world champion.<\/p>\n
The award winners were based on choices by readers who voted
\nvia post, facsimile, SMS and e-mail.<\/p>\n
\"The award is an annual tradition to motivate athletes and
\ncoaches to perform even better. The event itself serves as a
\nmedium for sports fans to become involved in judging athletes,\"
\nsaid Bola director Ignatius Sunito.<\/p>\n
Sunito said at least 15,000 votes had been received from
\nJanuary through February.<\/p>\n
Sony defeated other nominees such as boxer Chris Jhon, swimmer
\nDonny B. Utomo, cyclist Ferinanto and chess player Susanto
\nMegaranto.<\/p>\n
Chris Jhon, who was recently awarded the World Boxing
\nAssociation (WBA) championship, took consolation in being named
\nfavorite athlete of the year.<\/p>\n
Juana, who has been assured of a berth in the Athens Olympics,
\nbeat pole-vaulter Ni Putu Desi Margawaty, rower Pere Karoba,
\narcher Rina Dewi Puspita Sari, SEA Games double gold medalist in
\ncycling Santia Tri Kusuma and the diving pair of Shenny Ratna
\nAmelia\/Helyani Dias Sukmahati.<\/p>\n
Aspac Texmaco, which has won the National Basketball League
\nfour times, was voted best team of the year.<\/p>\n
Honors were also awarded to late sporting figures Kardono
\n(soccer) and Minarni Sudaryanto (badminton). Both were deemed to
\nhave dedicated their lives to their respective sports.<\/p>",
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