E. Java keeps up pressures on W. Java

Tue, 17 Sep 1996, 00:00 WIB | Source: JP

JAKARTA (JP): With the overall title already determined, the
bitter rivalry between West Java and East Java, the country's
most populous provinces, grew fiercer yesterday at the 14th
National Games.

The fate of both teams hung in the balance after they won a
gold medal each in volleyball yesterday evening.

East Java female spikers defended their title after coming
back from a set down to beat West Java 14-16, 16-14, 15-9, 15-9
in a packed Senayan Indoor Stadium. Earlier, in the men's final,
West Java pounded defending champion East Java 15-9, 15-7, 15-7
for a gold medal.

The day's last golds for the two arch rivals, however, did not
change the medal standings. With host Jakarta clearly on its way
to surpass the 100-gold-medal mark, West Java lay second with 46
golds, 58 silvers and 55 bronzes. East Java closed in with just
one gold deficit.

East Java got off to a flying start yesterday, winning two
golds in water skiing. It was also dominant in archery where it
took two more golds from the men's 40m individual and women's 50m
individual events.

The last day of the track and field competition also served
well as a battle field of East Java and West Java, which took
four and three golds in the competition respectively.

West Javanese runners swept both the 4 X 100m relay titles at
the expense of their East Javanese rivals, but the 4 X 400 relays
ended with opposite outcomes.

Jakarta completed the track and field competition on a low
note with no gold medals yesterday. But its victory hungry
shooters and gymnasts kept up their pace.

The track and field competition failed to impress after seven
days of competition. Six new meet records were set but no
national records were shattered.

Mohammad (Bob) Hasan, the chairman of the Indonesian Track and
Field Association, argued that the absence of national records
was caused by the changing of the guards. "As you see, there are
many new champions, whose names may not be familiar to you,"
Hasan said.

In shooting, Yuniarti and her teammates won two golds for
Jakarta, bringing its tally of golds to 15 yesterday. The Jakarta
gymnasts romped home with three more golds from rhythmic
disciplines, thanks to Winni Sari's double victory in the ball
and hoop disciplines and Nita Mardiana's win in the clubs
discipline.

The boxing finals will cap the ninth day of action at the
Games, offering 12 of the day's 41 golds. Host Jakarta and West
Java will parade four boxers each, but the settlement of personal
rivalry between two Indonesian Olympians, Lapaene Masara and
Hermensen Ballo, will be the bout to watch.

Lapaene of Maluku, the only Indonesian boxer to reach the
quarterfinals in this year's Olympic Games, has moved up to the
flyweight division, only to play his roughest pound-for-pound
fight ever against the East Nusa Tenggara defending champion.

Soccer looks to add spice to today's action, although no
medals are at stake on the green field at the Senayan stadium.
Defending champion Irian Jaya will try to break its jinx against
South Sulawesi in today's semifinals, while East Java takes on
North Sulawesi.

"We are upbeat of retaining our crown," Irian coach Fostoc Yom
said yesterday. (amd)