Coach Donald steers S'porean archer to victory

Coach Donald steers S'porean archer to victory

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Former national archery coach Donald Pandiangan, who once
complained that his archers here were easily satisfied and
undisciplined, is having better luck in Singapore.

Donald helped new charge Vinson Heng to the gold in the men's
compound event at the 3rd Asian Archery Grand Prix on Wednesday.

After collecting his first gold for his country by beating
Indian archer Shivnath Nagesia 107-105, the archer gave Donald a
grateful hug.

"I am very excited," Vinson, 38, said at Bung Karno Archery
Field in Central Jakarta. "The support from my coach and my
compatriots helped me win the final match."

It was a good day for Singapore and Donald, who has only been
coaching in the city-state since the middle of the year.

Singapore's Maryanne Gul also won silver in the women's
compound, losing the final battle against Indian archer Jhanu
Hansda 96-109.

The Singapore archers gave Donald a bow of thanks before
leaving the field.

Vinson praised 59-year-old Donald, who was Indonesia's leading
archer during the 1970s and '80s, saying he was hard working and
honest.

"Donald always pushes us to our highest limit until we
couldn't pass it, then he lowers the limit," he said. "We are
very lucky to have him as our coach."

Indian archer Naresh Damor took the bronze by defeating
Singaporean Ray Lee 110-108.

Donald said his athletes performed better in practice than in
competition. "The mental (strength) and concentration of my
athletes aren't stable yet."

Although Donald coached the national women's team to the
country's first ever Olympic medal -- a silver -- at the 1988
Olympics, he has complained about the attitude of the athletes.

"They want the prestige but they don't want to work for it,"
he told Suara Pembaruan afternoon daily in September 2003 when he
returned to coaching the national team after a 15-year hiatus..

"I have to find stimulation in order to coach today's
athletes. Or perhaps I'm just not suited to coaching the athletes
of today."

Some of his former proteges were shut out of the medals on
Wednesday.

Harry Suliztiarto, Herry Pariana, Syafruddin Mawi, Gatot
Ariyanto and Nicolous Chandra lost in the first round, while
Hendra Setiawan, Fauzi Hocktaji and IGNP Praditta fell in second
round of the men's compound.

In women's compound, Kusumawardhani, Lilies Herliati and
Nurfitriana Lantang lost in the first round, while Lilies
Handayani lost in the second round.

National archery chairman Taufiqurahman said that he was still
optimistic about the country's chances of winning gold in the
Southeast Asia (SEA) Games in November.

"We will send them to Korea to practice better ahead of SEA
Games," he said.

The Grand Prix finals end on Thursday.