11 judokas to compete in Asian c'ships

JAKARTA (JP): Eleven local judokas left yesterday for Manila to take part in the Asian championships in Manila from Nov. 21 to Nov. 23.

The 11 judokas consist of six men and five women. They will be assisted by coaches Indriyana Kusnadi (men), Pujawati and Lee Biong Oek (women), and team manager Ajii Kusmantri.

The male judokas are Peter Taslim (60 kilograms), Yudi Sulistyanto (65kg), Handoko (61kg), Kresna Bayu (86kg), Wisnu (95kg) and Maruli (71kg). The women are Maya (48kg), Praptiningsih (52kg), Susanti (61kg), Aprilia Marzuki (66kg) and Ira P (72kg).

Maya, Susanti, Wisnu and Maruli are new judokas and did not compete in the recent 19th SEA Games in October.

Twenty countries, including Indonesia, will compete in the Asian judo championships.

"The championships are very important to Indonesia as they will decide the rankings in Asia," Indriyana said Tuesday.

Indriyana further said the championships would give local judokas the opportunity to compete against other newcomers.

"Judokas from Japan, South Korea and Russia are Indonesia's tough rivals in the coming championships," Indriyana said.

Indriyana voiced hope that the Indonesian judokas would perform to their maximum so as to obtain a place in the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok in December. (lnt)