C. Java opens gold rush at tae kwon do nationals

C. Java opens gold rush at tae kwon do nationals

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Defending champion Central Java notched a perfect three-for-
three showing in finals on the opening day of the 5th LG National
tae kwon do championship in Cibubur, East Jakarta, on Monday.

In the debut event at the new national tae kwon do training
center, Iin Retno F started the medal haul in the women's
middleweight division by defeating Eka Sahara of East Kalimantan
7-6.

Her success was followed by Amalia Kurniasih, who thrashed
Alin S. of West Java 18-2 in the women's heavyweight class and
Luki Andarmawan who edged Zachryan D, also of West Java, 6-5 in
the men's middleweight final.

Luki said he was glad to win gold in his first nationals.

"I was nervous, but when I took the lead I gained more
confidence," he said of the day's most exciting contest, with
both fighters going all out on every point.

"I am still shocked by my victory but I'm glad I can
contribute one gold to my home province."

Central Java head coach Bambang Widjanarko said he was pleased
by the start, which boded well for the team retaining its title
and also exceeding the number of golds it won at the last
nationals.

Central Java gained four golds, three silvers and two bronzes
to sit atop the 2003 national standings, followed by East Java
with four golds, one silver and one gold and Jakarta's tally of
four golds and eight bronzes in third.

West Java, despite having four finalists, only secured one
gold through flyweight Utami Dewi after she defeated Nurina
Mustika of Yogyakarta 2-1.

"I hope my victory could secure me a place in the national
training for the 2005 Southeast Asia (SEA) Games)," said Utami,
who was forced to withdraw from the elite Indonesia Awakens
training program due to the time demands of university study.

East Nusa Tenggara and Jakarta also won one gold
respectively.

The national championship will run until Wednesday.