Armin spends as much time on water as on land

Armin spends as much time on water as on land

JAKARTA (JP): Growing up in a fishing neighborhood, Armin, the
single kayak 1,000 meters gold medal winner, spent as much time
on the water as on land.

"I knew how to row a boat before I was nine years old," he
said with his trademark shy smile. "And I am the only one of 12
children who is not a fisherman."

Armin, a son of Andi Masse and Fukuna, was born on Oct. 15,
1972 in Labean, near Palu, the capital of Central Sulawesi, an
area where his family has lived for generations.

The usually reclusive Armin gave up his education after
leaving primary school in 1984. "I gave up my education because I
had younger brothers who had to be supported by my parents."

But he had no idea what he wanted to do. Unlike most children,
who have ideals from early in life, Armin had few experiences on
which to draw.

"I only ever knew about fishing or selling fish as ways of
earning money. I thought that's all I could do. I certainly
didn't want a clerical job. And even now I know that I am not
good at that," he said.

With sweat and the Jatiluhur reservoir water still dripping
from his face and body, he answered all the questions fired at
him but could not understand why people were paying him so much
attention.

He said modestly: "What should I tell you, I don't have any
interesting stories about myself."

Armin's life changed for ever when a friend, Salman, who was
already a local kayaker, introduced him to the sport in 1991.

Salman was also responsible for Armin tasting competition on a
larger stage when he submitted his shy friend's name to the
national games committee in 1993.

Even though he failed on that occasion, Armin was recruited to
the national training center and went to the Chiang Mai SEA Games
in 1995 as part of the Dragon boat team and won a gold medal.

His life on the seashore however, has left an indelible mark
on the dark-skinned Armin's life.

He rarely stops reminiscing about his days in Palu and his
face lights up when he is asked to recall his homelife.

"If I get days off from the training center and a chance to go
home, I still help my family take our boats out to sea and go
fishing," he said.

And he spends his holidays in his hometown, going round
visiting all his relations.

Armin only clammed up when the conversation turned to affairs
of the heart. He admitted that the Hanoman doll he was given in
the medal ceremony would be passed on to "someone special" but he
declined to elaborate any further.

"She made me win this," was all he would say when pressed
about his girlfriend.

Some of Armin's teammates who escorted Armin to the doping
centerand later to the host's base camp revealed that the seem
ingly unflappable kayaker was very nervous in the run-up to the
race.

"Last night he seemed stunned and kept silent in his room till
it was time to get up," Teguh, from the dragon boat team said.
Armin responded by only giving what is clearly his trademark shy
smile. (04)