Boxing coach Wiem wary of bias in Bacolod City
Boxing coach Wiem wary of bias in Bacolod City
Musthofid The Jakarta Post/Jakarta
Although national boxing coach Wiem Gomies feels he has done all he can to get his charges ready for November's Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, there is one crucial factor beyond his control.
Apart from the luck of the draw, Wiem said much depended on judges' decisions in winning medals in the Philippines. While he does not expect biased judging against Indonesian boxers in bouts with Thais, the regional powerhouse in the sport, it will be a different matter in taking on the hosts.
"As the hosts, the Philippines are putting their nation's pride on the line. It will be a difficult task against the hosts," Wiem said last week.
"After being thrashed by Thailand in Vietnam (SEA Games 2003), the Philippines vowed to bounce back and Thailand returned home empty handed from Olympic qualifying in Manila in 2004. The Philippines dominated the event."
Allegations of biased judging in favor of a host country's boxers have marred previous Games; the stunning losses of five Indonesian boxers to Thai opponents in the 1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai remain a bitter memory.
Wiem said the boxers would be at peak performance in November.
"The boxers have reached between 80 and 90 percent of their preparedness for the fights. They should be well positioned for the fights in time."
The Indonesian Amateur Boxing Association is preparing nine men and five women for Bacolod City, one of four venues selected for the biennial regional sporting event from Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.
The hosts, along with Vietnam and Thailand, are also expected to be the strongest contenders in women's boxing, which is making its Games debut.
"What remains to be worked out is polishing the boxers' tactics and strategy," Wiem said.
Even with his fears about judging, national boxers have not been convincing in the runup to the Games. With the exception of Arenaldo Moniaga, who won bronze in the featherweight (57 kg) division, all national boxers were defeated early in the Asian Championships in August.
At the 2003 Games in Vietnam, national boxers won only one gold, contributed by Benny Elopere, who is not on this year's squad.
Rionando Butar-Butar, a silver medalist in 2003, said he was in good shape despite a first-round loss in the Asian Championships.
"I'm ready for the bouts. I'll try hard to give my best effort. I'm ready to follow what the trainer tells me during the fight. I have learned a lot of tactics and strategy during the training. And I guess I'm well equipped for the ring," said the light flyweight (48 kg).
"Seen from the recent Asian Championship, it (competitiveness) will be the same as in the last SEA Games."
He will face some tough opponents, including Filipino Harry Tanamor, the SEA Games and Asian champion, and Thai Subhan Panonh, who was the Asian championship runner-up.
With the odds stacked against him, he remains hopeful of pulling off a surprise. "I believe in God," he said.
-------------------------------- National boxers
Men: Alberto Alfons (45kg), Rionando Butar-Butar (48kg), Destesa Moniaga (51), Dadan Amanda (54kg), Arenaldo Moniaga (57kg), Miftah Rifai Lubis (60kg), Robby Chandra (64kg), Toar Sompotan (69kg), Bara Gomies (75kg) Women: Jein Gereta (46kg), Rumiris Simarmata (48kg), Veronika Nicolas (50kg), Elisawati (54kg), Agnes Datu Sulang (60kg)