Tae kwon do's Tami balances sport and study<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan
\nThe Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
West Java's Utami Dewi Oktaviani was diagnosed with symptoms
\nof typhus only a week before the tae kwon do nationals, but she
\nstill rose to the occasion.<\/p>\n
The 19 year old, known as Tami, won gold in her flyweight
\nclass by defeating Nurina Mustika S of Yogyakarta in the final on
\nMonday. On her way to the final, Tami beat 1999 Southeast Asian
\nGames (SEA) finalist Ade Novriza of Jakarta.<\/p>\n
At the 2004 National Games (PON) in Palembang last year, she
\nwon gold by overcoming Rahadewi Neta of East Java, the opponent
\nwho had beaten her for the gold at the 2003 nationals.<\/p>\n
"Actually, it wasn't my best performance because I just
\nrecovered from illness, but I tried to give my all against all my
\nopponents," the friendly, articulate young woman said.<\/p>\n
Her victory was especially notable because she is not part of
\nthe national training program.<\/p>\n
Recruited by the Indonesian Tae kwon do Association (PB TI)
\nfor Indonesia Awakens (IA), the elite training program to groom
\nathletes for the 2006 Asian Games, she decided that her studies
\nshould come first.<\/p>\n
"Yes, I withdrew from the IA program in Jakarta as I had just
\nentered university (Pasundan Economics Academy) in Bandung so I
\ncouldn't leave my studies," she said.<\/p>\n
"But for the 2005 SEA Games, I think I could participate in
\nnational training because it wouldn't take as long a period as
\nthe IA program for the Asian Games.'<\/p>\n
The dilemma of training and studies is not new for athletes.
\nKarateka Kartika also gave up her place in IA recently because
\nGadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta did not give its permission
\nfor her to take a leave from campus to train.<\/p>\n
IA coach Bambang Widjanarko acknowledged that the centralized
\nnational training programs in Jakarta sometimes created a
\ndifficult decision for athletes wishing to study outside the
\ncapital.<\/p>\n
It's a decision that also must take into account the lack of
\nlong-term welfare guarantees for former athletes.<\/p>\n
"The best way to resolve the problem between the national
\ntraining program and study is to establish training centers in
\nprovinces where the athletes came instead of just Jakarta," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
"It's only fair because the Indonesian government is still
\nunable to guarantee the future life of athletes."<\/p>\n
Like many female athletes, Tami has also had to overcome the
\nnegative view of women in sports.<\/p>\n
Born in Bandung, Tami said she enjoyed squaring off against
\nclassmates when she was small.<\/p>\n
"I was in the habit of fighting against boys when I was kid,"
\nrecalled the 1.65 meter, 50 kilogram young woman.<\/p>\n
She was a tomboy in other ways, preferring to play indoor
\nsoccer over the stereotyped "girls" activities and a fan of David
\nBeckham for his skills and good looks.<\/p>\n
Her parents were not fully supportive when Tami asked to train
\nin tae kwon do when she was 12.<\/p>\n
She quickly showed results, taking third in the junior event
\nat the Bandung Mayor's Cup.<\/p>\n
West Java coach Agus Sumarno, who is also part of the IA
\nprogram, said Tami's talent was clear from an early age.<\/p>\n
"Her posture and body proportions are suitable as a fighter,"
\nhe said."She has already proved her talent by winning in PON and
\nthe nationals."<\/p>\n
With Tami's trophies now crowding their home, her once
\nreluctant parents are now firmly in her support section.<\/p>\n
"I think they now understand my involvement in tae kwon do."<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tae-kwon-dos-tami-balances-sport-and-study-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }