Supeni seeks fair decision in weightlifting evaluation<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian weightlifter Supeni expects a fair
\njudgment in the final evaluation of Olympic Games qualifiers on
\nAug. 9 in Pringsewu, Lampung, and Aug. 14 at the Ragunan sports
\nschool in South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Supeni said on Tuesday she would accept the results of the
\nevaluation, whatever they were, as long as the process was fair.<\/p>\n
\"As an athlete I only want to focus my attention on preparing
\nfor the Olympics in Sydney in September. After the evaluation,
\nthe judges will see which of us is able to represent the country
\nat the event,\" she said following a light training session.<\/p>\n
\"I will show them that I will go to Sydney and fight as best I
\ncan, not just go there for a picnic. I will contribute everything
\nfor my country,\" said the mother of a 3-year-old daughter.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding
\nAssociation (PABBSI) had planned to hold the evaluation before
\nthe 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya in June.<\/p>\n
However, the evaluation was delayed and on Monday the
\nassociation's new officials, named during its national congress
\nduring PON, sparked controversy by issuing a letter expelling
\nSupeni from the Olympic training program.<\/p>\n
PABBSI chairman Dharma Surya declined to discuss the dispute,
\nonly saying the decision was in the hands of the National Sports
\nCouncil (KONI).<\/p>\n
Olympic weightlifting team manager Djoko Pramono protested the
\ndecision, claiming he had not been notified about the letter.<\/p>\n
The dispute was resolved on Monday evening when KONI vice
\nchairman and Olympic executive training director Arie Wibowo said
\nthe council had canceled the letter and would only use it as a
\nreference point when naming the three lifters who will join the
\nOlympic team.<\/p>\n
Indonesia can send three female weightlifters to the Olympics,
\nwhile it has been training four athletes: Sri Indriyani and Lisa
\nRumbewas in the 48-kilogram division, and Winarni and Supeni in
\nthe 53-kilogram division.<\/p>\n
Both Sri and Winarni finished second in the World
\nChampionships, which also served as an Olympic qualification, in
\nAthens in September. Supeni finished fourth while Lisa was
\neighth.<\/p>\n
Supeni said she was disappointed at learning that she had been
\nexpelled from the training program, but praised her coach, Sori
\nEnda Nasution, for helping her maintain her motivation.<\/p>\n
\"Pak Ucok (Sori's nickname) told me that it's not a final
\ndecision and he encouraged me to be prepared for the Aug. 14
\nevaluation. I'm very proud to have a coach like him,\" said
\nSupeni, who has lived with Sori and his family since 1994.<\/p>\n
KONI will send a team comprising deputy Olympic training
\ndirector Imron ZS, deputy of training programs Jotje Gosal,
\ndeputy of education Paulus Pasurney, Djoko Pramono, the deputy of
\nPABBSI's weightlifting technical commission, Hadi Wiharja, and
\npsychologist Rosa Hertamina to supervise Wednesday's evaluation.<\/p>\n
Ucok himself said the controversy had disturbed the athletes'
\npreparations for the Olympics.<\/p>\n
\"I really regret the dispute because it was only for someone's
\nbenefit instead of in the interests of 200 million Indonesians.
\nThe training program which started on Jan. 1, 1999, was almost
\ndestroyed in only days by some people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ucok said of the four lifters vying to join the Olympic team,
\nLisa was the most inexperienced.<\/p>\n
\"Lisa's only international experience was the World
\nChampionships, and that's not enough to compete in such a major
\nevent like the Olympics.<\/p>\n
\"Athletes not only need technical skills at a big event, but
\nthey rely more on being tough mentally and having the proper
\nmotivation. Lisa still needs to learn.\" (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/supeni-seeks-fair-decision-in-weightlifting-evaluation-1447893297",
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