Andri hopes for hat trick of SEA Games golds

JAKARTA (JP): Andri Halim is a veteran of the taekwondo mattress after participating in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games four times since 1991. He has vowed not to retire before attempting to win a hat trick of consecutive golds in the Games.

"I never get bored of competing in the Games. As long as God believes I can still contribute to my country, I will fight. I have a personal ambition to win three golds from taekwondo."

Born in Serang, West Java, on Sept. 6, 1972, Andri took up taekwondo during his first year in high school.

"I played table tennis but I thought that I was not right for the sport. When I was in the high school in 1988, my teacher urged me to learn taekwondo.

"My first victory was the 1989 West Java Championships in the middle class division."

Unfortunately, his parents were opposed to him competing in taekwondo and doubted he possessed the seriousness to be successful. He disproved them with his wins.

Andri, who still plays table tennis and swims, said he never felt inferior in a bout.

"When I was still holding a white belt, I had the guts to fight a more experienced rival. I think I must have been crazy at that time," he said with a laugh.

Andri considers athletes from the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand to be his toughest rivals in the Games from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.

"All rivals are tough. I'll just try my best," he said calmly.

Indonesian Taekwondo Association secretary-general Ahmad Zarkasih Hamid said Andri was a class above the other athletes.

"He doesn't have tough rivals in the Southeast Asian region."

South Korean coach Oh Il-nam also believed in Andri's chances.

"Andri is the senior in the squad. I believe he will be able to win again this time."

Tenth of 12 children of Halim and Wanti, Andri said he was still looking for a partner in life.

"I want to get a good wife who can understand me. I still want to work. I'm working as an insurance agent at Metropolitan Life insurance. Karateka Omita (Olga Ompi) took me to work with her. I have started to love my job."

Andri's best international showing was a bronze in the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima. Although he lost in the first round in the 1998 Asiad, Andri remains confident of his skills. He also won a bronze in the 1996 Asia Pacific Championships.

Andri said his other ambition was to open a dojo, a martial arts training center. He claimed an advertisement for his coaching skills was his nephew, Robert. Robert, a member of the national team for the 1998 Asiad, skipped the SEA Games this year because he wants to concentrate on his studies.

"I'm working together with Mr. Oh and his friend Hyung Yoo- jong to open the dojo."

He has coached the children of Indonesian Military Commander Gen. Wiranto and Lippo Group businessman Roy E. Tirtadji. (yan)