Gomies, Saparipan reach quarterfinals

SANUR, Bali (JP): Indonesian boxers Bara Gomies and Juan Saparipan helped the host country save face by reaching the quarterfinals of the 19th President Cup after defeating their rivals on Friday at the Grand Bali Beach Hotel.

Competing in the welterweight division, Bara, representing the Inti Garuda team, won convincingly over Ton Tun Oo of China with a score of 18-9.

Team manager Jhony Asaroma said Bara's victory opened a bigger chance for the boxer to excel further in the event. Despite his satisfaction over Bara's optimum performance, Jhony said he could have used another strategy to achieve knockout or referee-stop- contest (RSC) wins.

Bara will challenge Chinese boxer Lu Zong Wei in the quarterfinals on Saturday.

Teammate Juan Saparipan also cruised to the quarterfinals after eliminating Malaysian Jonny Anding in the bantamweight division with RSC.

The 25-year-old Juan, the gold medalist of the 2000 National Games in East Java in June, was very aggressive with straight punches after the first round.

The referee started to count in the first round after Anding was hit hard with a straight punch on the jaw. The Malaysian tried to fight back in the second round but failed, with Juan managing to go through to Anding's double cover.

Another straight from Juan hit Anding in the face and forced the referee to stop the match before the second round finished, with Juan collecting 15-0 points. He will face C Morales of Mexico, who had a bye in the second round.

"I'm elated I could win the fight as it's my first international experience," he said, adding that he hoped to win the event and take home the cash bonus promised by Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso.

Unfortunately, teammate Julianto lost to Junie Tizon of the Philippines in the welterweight division. The Indonesian only lasted to the 10th minute in the second round before bowing out due to injury. (Bona Beding)