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.