Four Indonesian fighters reach W. C'ships finals

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia secured four final berths in the 2000 Pencak Silat World Championships after the national heroes and heroines won their fights on Thursday at the Pencak Silat Center in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, East Jakarta.

Abdul Karim had no difficulty defeating Khairul Almin bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad of Brunei Darussalam 4-1 in the men's A (45-50kgs) class. He will see Abang Erdie Fauzerul Abang Fauzan of Malaysia, who beat Vigor Anot of the Philippines.

Samuel Mallo comfortably outclassed David Sebastian of France 5-0 in the J (90-95kgs) class semifinals. Samuel will face Zakri bin Ibrahim of Malaysia, who defeated Michael Ring of Australia.

Other Indonesian semifinalists are in the women's division: Septi Hariandja in the E (65-70) kgs class and Dwi Damayanti in the F (70-75) kgs class.

Septi easily overcame Evangeline Caguiqoa of the Philippines 5-0 to ensure an encounter with Nguyet Minh of Vietnam, who defeated Suryati Azlinda binte Jack of Malaysia 5-0.

Meanwhile Dwi eliminated Vietnamese Le Thi Hong Ngoan 5-0 to challenge Malaysian Azlinda Binte Ahmad, who beat Nor Fadzillah of Singapore 5-0.

Five Indonesian men's fighters managed to confirm their tickets to the semifinals.

The country's backbone Abas Akbar defeated Dutch Roy E. Josefzoon 4-1 in the D (60-65kgs) class. Abas is scheduled to face Mohammad Noor Rafili of Singapore.

Competing in the E (65-70) kgs, Haris Nugroho overwhelmed Nordin bin Atan of Malaysia 5-0 to set up a fight against Adula Malee of Thailand, who beat Marc de Hoon of Belgium.

Fentje Roike Maengkom also easily beat Ronald Perena of Thailand 5-0 in the F (70-75kgs) class. He will challenge Michael Putz of Austria.

Rony Saifulah outclassed Swiss Pascal Stefenhofer 5-0 in the G (75-80kgs) class to meet Nguyen Huu Long of Vietnam. Nguyen defeated Abdul Kadir Ibrahim of Singapore.

Yamadi Putra also won his match against Arief Kozkoz of the United Kingdom 5-0 in the I (85-90kgs) class. Yamadi will face Martin Berrens of the Netherlands, who beat Fritel Frederick of France 5-0.

Unfortunately, several Indonesian fighters had to bow out to their opponents.

Lamech Manam was beaten by Mohammad Zulfikar Mohammad Ramli of Singapore 0-5 in the C (55-60kgs) class while in the H (80-85kgs) class, Sigit Infantoro had to bow out to Nguyen van Hung of Vietnam 0-5.

Nelliana Esterlin Dumalang was beaten by Rina Jordana binte Haji Adnan of Malaysia 5-0 in the women's A (45-50kgs) class meanwhile Ika Lesmana succumbed to Nguyen Ngoc Anh of Vietnam 1-4 in the B (50-55kgs) class. (nvn)