Veterans up for judo team<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
National athletes with proven records in international
\ncompetition are expected to bring home gold in judo at the 23rd
\nSoutheast Asia (SEA) Games in the Philippines next month.<\/p>\n
SEA Games judo manager Yorry Yance Worang said on Monday that
\ngolds were expected from Krisna Bayu, 31, in the men's under 100
\nkg category, women's under 52 kg from Maya Fransiska, 24, and
\nover 78 kg Ira Purnamasari, 24.<\/p>\n
\"The three athletes, who won gold in the 2003 SEA Games, have
\nbig chances to win gold in this year SEA Games,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He added the 2004 Olympian Krisna Bayu was the heavy favorite
\nto repeat his gold-winning performance from Hanoi. \"In Southeast
\nAsia, I think Krisna Bayu is still number one,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Several other experienced athletes are among the picks of the
\nIndonesian Judo Association (PJSI) for the regional multievent
\nchampionship, with Indonesia competing in 16 weight divisions.<\/p>\n
Women's under 57-kg athlete Endang Sri Lestari, 31, and men's
\nunder 90-kg athlete Dwi Sihmanto are other veterans in the
\nnational contingent.<\/p>\n
Other hopefuls are Toni Irawan (-55kg), Eldy Gan (-60kg),
\nPeter Taslim (-66kg), Johanes Taslim (-73kg), Jimmy Anggoro (-
\n81kg) and Deni Zulfendri (+100) in the men's division, and Sari
\nAstraviani (-45kg), Yuliati (-48kg), Tina Feryani (-63kg),
\nLutfidyah (-70kg), and Cliffia Sulistio (-78kg) among the women.<\/p>\n
Yorri said the other athletes were expected to medal, but
\nother factors would be at play in the competition, based on
\njudging.<\/p>\n
\"We expect three golds this year like in 2003 where we brought
\nhome three golds, four silvers and four bronzes. It will be good
\nif we get more this year,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Vietnam, judo's defending overall medal champion, and the host
\ncountry are expected to present Indonesia's main competition.<\/p>\n
\"Vietnam is really serious in preparing its athletes, while
\nPhilippine athletes will not want to be embarrassed at home and
\ntheir veteran athletes are also strong,\" Yorri said.<\/p>\n
The association sent the athletes for training in South Korea
\nlast month.<\/p>\n
\"Our athletes are now at Kyung Min High School, a school
\nspecializing in judo,\" Yorri said, adding the athletes were
\ncoached by former Asian champion Kim Sung Il and three Indonesian
\ncoaches.<\/p>\n
Yorri said the athletes were about the same standard as their
\nKorean counterparts at the school.<\/p>\n
\"This week is the last week for our athletes at Kyung Min,
\nnext week they will move to Keom Kok High School for a different
\ntraining session,\" Yorry added.<\/p>\n
The athletes will depart for Cebu, where judo will be held, on
\nNov. 25, two days before the Games open.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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