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)