Archers optimistic on taking three SEAG golds

Archers optimistic on taking three SEAG golds

JAKARTA (JP): The national archers expressed optimism on
bringing home three of the four golds at stake in the Southeast
Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur in September despite the lack
of adequate equipment.

"We are upbeat that we can grab three golds in the men's
individual, women's individual and women's team events. But we
need new bows badly to ensure better results. The archers have
shown impressive results during their training," coach Denny
Kristianto told the National Sports Council (KONI) chairman
Wismoyo Arismunandar during Friday's meeting.

"Just for comparison's sake, host Malaysia has bought 200 sets
of new bows to arm its archers while our lineup is still relying
on old bows."

The Indonesian Archery Association (Perpani) has named four
male and four female archers for the biennial event from Sept. 8
to Sept. 17.

The women's team comprises seniors Lilis Handayani and Rosiana
Gelanteh and juniors Gina Rahayu and Suci Dwi Megasari, while the
men's team consists of old hand Syafrudin Mawi and juniors Iko
Widaryanto, Kuswantoro and Lokoneko."

"Combining seniors and juniors in one team is very ideal.
Besides Kuswantoro and Gina are very promising as they've managed
to beat their seniors in the selection process," Denny said.

Kuswantoro topped the men's division by scoring 1275 followed
by Syafrudin with 1255, while Iko shot 1248 and Lokoneko scored
1224.

Rosiana led the women's side by shooting 1299 and was closely
followed by Gina with 1297 and Lilis with 1295. Suci scored 1285.

"I am determined to improve my personal best of 1314. I will
work hard to achieve this," said Lilis.

The archers will warm up in a test tournament held by Game
organizers at the official venue in Johor Baru, southern
Malaysia, from July 17 until July 23.

Separately, the Indonesian Gymnastics Association (Persani)
will hold a warm-up in Palembang, South Sumatra, later this month
to increase the gymnasts' competition experience.

"The warm-up is intended to aid with giving experience to
younger gymnasts who have not been sent abroad yet due to
cutbacks. It is also to alleviate the boredom," Persani
secretary-general Sri Hastuti Merdiko told The Jakarta Post.

"We chose Palembang as it just hosted the Students Games and
all the equipment is still there."

Persani is aiming to earn five of the 21 golds at stake at the
Games and it is relying on old hand Jonathan Sianturi, who is
targeted to grab three gold medals.

"Jonathan won five golds at the 1997 Games but he only has a
slight chance in winning now as he is suffering from three
fractures in his legs," Hastuti said.

"We are expecting him to perform well at the rings, horizontal
and parallel bar events. There is also a chance for him in the
pommel horse but that's too risky." (nvn)