Asiad boxer loses in final proving ground

Asiad boxer loses in final proving ground

JAKARTA (JP): Flyweight Rahman Kikili, one of the seven
amateur boxers being groomed for the 12th Asian Games in
Hiroshima next October, went down in an upset during the fourth
day of the 16th Golden Gloves boxing championships in
Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi.

Rahman, who hails from South Sumatra, was marginally
outpointed by to Hamdani Tomagola from Jakarta in an even and
intense match, according to Antara.

This defeat is an ominous sign for Rahman as he is in danger
of losing his ticket for Asia's biggest sporting extravaganza.

National coach Ferry Moniaga, after dropping two boxers from
Asiad, said last month that he might throw other boxers on the
scrap-heap if they did not perform commendably during the
championships, which serves as the final proving ground for
Hiroshima.

Ferry has dropped two pugilists from the team so far. They
were welterweight Aswin Cabui from Irian Jaya and Herry
Makawimbang from Jakarta.

As of now, The Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association (Pertina)
has not made any decisions regarding Rahman's participation in
the Asiad.

Ferry was quoted as saying by Suara Pembaruan daily yesterday
that he will not be hasty in passing any judgments.

He did say, however, that Rahman's timing was very poor,
especially in the second round.

Quite the opposite, Hamdani boxed intelligently by combining a
graceful offense with a smooth duck and weave.

"I have to keep up the hit and run strategy because Rachman is
more fit than me," Hamdani said after the match.

In the meantime, three other boxers who are members of the
Asiad team continued their winning streaks and went to the final
round of the championship. They were: light middleweight Hendrik
Simangunsong from North Sumatra, light heavyweight Pino Bahari
from Bali, and middleweight Albert Papilaya from Jakarta.

All of the three pugilists had spectacular victories. Hendrik
took one minute to bring West Javan Deddy Gober down, Pino won
RSC in the first round against Marsel from North Sulawesi and
Albert neutralized Duddin from Ujungpandang with a RSC in the
third round.

The referee decided to stop Albert's match as he mercilessly
pounded the hapless Duddin, who was unable to work his way out of
the corner.

Prior to Hiroshima, the national team will undergo an overseas
stint in Cuba - an amateur boxing powerhouse - for about one and
a half months, starting Aug. 5. (hdj)