Desi breaks Games pole vault record

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Hanoi

Ni Putu Desi Margawati vaulted to a new SEA Games record of 3.95 meters to give Indonesia a gold medal in the pole vault at My Dinh Stadium here on Monday.

Desi bettered her own record of 3.90 at the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

It was one of four new records set in the track and field. Nguyen Lan Ahn and Nguyen Thi Tinh delighted local fans with impressive performances in their respective women's 1500 meters and women's 400 meters.

Suphan Wongsriphuck of Thailand was the other record breaker on his way to winning the men's 110 meter hurdles.

Despite winning with an improved record, Desi was disappointed she did not beat the personal best she produced at the 2003 Asian Championship in Colombo.

"Next time I should be able to perform better. I have to be grateful that I won the gold," Desy said.

Desy opened her campaign with a successful vault over a 3.8- meter high bar while Le Thi Puong of Vietnam, who was the eventual silver medal winner, began with 3.6 meters.

The Indonesian needed a second try in the next two vaults of 3.90 and 3.95. She failed in her three attempts to jump four meters.

Puong jumped 3.8 meters while Rosalinda Samsu took the bronze with 3.6 meters.

Indonesia's hopes for another victory in the women's 10,000 meters did not materialize as Supriati Sutono, the 1998 Asian Games gold medalist, failed in the final battle against Doan Nu Truc Van.

Supriati, who was brought into the team just three months before the games, touched the finish line in 34 minutes and 48.93 seconds. Van was ahead in 34:48.28.

Despite the failure, the team hailed Supriati as the beginnings of her return to her best after a long layoff to give birth.

"It's a good performance by Supriati. We hope she will take revenge against her opponent when competing in the 5000 meters tomorrow," team manager Tigor Tanjung said.

Indonesia added another silver from the men's triple jump courtesy of Sugeng Jatmiko and a bronze through Edy Zakaria in the men's 110 meters.

Suphan led the Thai romp of four golds, followed by Vietnam, while the Philippines took three and Malaysia and Singapore were, like Indonesia, left with a single gold.