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)