Dismal day on the track for Indonesia
Musthofid, The Jakrta Post, Manila
It was a decidedly shaky and unpromising start for the country's track and field athletes on Monday, with the Philippines and Vietnam dominating the day.
While other Indonesian athletes were winning golds in women's team tennis, the men's mountain bike and karate competitions, the best that national athletics had to offer were a silver and a bronze from its participation in seven of the 14 events at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Inspired host athletes had the biggest haul of the day with four gold, three silver and three bronze.
Vietnam collected the same number of golds but fewer minor medals. Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore joined the gold celebration with three, two and one respectively.
Wachara Sondee was crowned the region's fastest man when he won the 100 meters in 10.47 seconds. Sompote Suwannarangsri made it a top two Thai finish in a time of 10.52, leaving Suryo Agung Wibowo of Indonesia to settle for bronze in 10.57.
Suryo's compatriot John Herman Murai, who was expected to be a contender after a resurgent season which included a new personal best of 10.38, trailed in fifth place.
"I had a dreadful start. The deafening shouting of the spectators disturbed me," Suryo complained.
A clearly devastated John chose to leave the track without saying anything, while Sondee was delighted with his victory.
"This is my first time in the SEA Games. I'm very happy with the achievement," the 22 year old said through an interpreter.
"I was a little bit distracted by the spectators, but I tried to get focused on the competition."
For the women, the sprint title went to Vu Thi Huong of Vietnam with a time of 11.49 seconds. Indonesians Deysie Sumigar and Supiati brought up the rear, finishing in sixth and last in the eight-runner field.
Dedeh Erawati won the lone silver for Indonesia in the women's 110 meters hurdles in a time of 13.58 seconds, four hundredths of a second behind gold medalist Moh Siew Wei of Malaysia.
Edy Jakaria in the men's 110 meters hurdles, Doni Susanto in the long jump, Akrin in the 800 meters and Ponsianus Kahol in the javelin were left chasing the shadows of their rivals.
The Philippines, still looking to produce a sprinter of the caliber of Lydia de Vega in the 1980s, still ended the second day of competition with most of the glory. The high point was a new Games record by Henry Dagmil in the long jump, increasing the mark from 7.79 meters to 7.81 meters.
Another 12 gold medals will be at stake on Tuesday.