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.