Endang breaks gold medal drought

Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Mandaue City, Cebu

Underrated Endang Sri Lestari Nugrohowati delivered the country's first gold medal in judo on Friday in what is likely to be her swan song in the binennial multisport competition.

Competing in the final bout of the day, Endang overcame Vietnamese Nguyen Thi Kieu with a nippon with only two minutes left in their under 57 kg contest.

After she was declared the winner, the 30 year old looked toward the Indonesian contingent, broke into tears and pointed to her chest, signifying that she won the gold for the nation.

"I didn't expect to win this gold because people said my opponents were better than me," she said.

"But I prayed during the match for God to allow me to do my best, and the result was gold."

Her victory was consolation after the shock defeat of Krisna Bayu in the men's 100 kg event on Thursday -- a defeat the Indonesian camp blamed on unfair refereeing.

"We lost one gold yesterday, but we won one gold today," national team manager Yorry Yance Worang said, acknowledging that Endang was not included in the target of three gold.

"We hope Endang's win will encourage other athletes in the last two days to win more golds."

Endang, who hails from Surakarta, Central Java, plans to retire after the Games. She holds a university degree in economics but is currently unemployed.

She requested that the administration of her hometown find her a job.

"This is my last gold in the SEA Games. It is enough for me after I won gold in Malaysia four years ago and bronze in Hanoi two years ago," Endang said. "After this, I don't know what I will do, but I hope the Solo (Surakarta) administration will grant me a position."

Thai Kanda Jindasawat and Aye Aye Thin of Myanmar took the bronze.

Earlier, Dwi Sihmanto contributed a silver medal in the men's under 90 kgs after he lost by an ippon to Myanmar's Zin Lin Aung. Dwi was too tentative, giving opportunities for his opponent to attack.

Thai athlete Wuttikrai Srisoprap and Tan Chee Keong of Malaysia won the bronze.

There was misfortune for Maya Fransisca, who suffered a left knee injury during her bout.

Team doctor Edison Siregar said it was a severe injury that is likely to require surgery.

Jimmy Anggoro (-81 kgs) lost in the bronze medal playoff to Malaysian Chong Wai Keat.

On Saturday, Indonesia's Peter Taslim will compete in the men's under 66 kgs, Johannes Taslim in the men's under 73 kgs and Tina Feryani in the women's under 63 kgs.