Gymnasts to compete overseas before Games

JAKARTA (JP): Local gymnasts will compete overseas in the lead-up to the 19th SEA Games, the secretary-general of the Indonesian Gymnastics Association (Persani) said yesterday.

Sri Hastuti Merdiko said five of the SEA Games squad's 31 gymnasts would be sent overseas.

Jonathan Sianturi, Harun Fauzi Rangkuti, Nita Mardiana, Novi Kartiansari and Yulianti will compete in the Arafura Games in Australia from May 10 to May 17, the Continent Championships in Australia in June or the Universiade in Sicily, Italy, in August.

The national gymnastics squad is being coached by Russians, Kouznetsov Iouri and Irina Voino.

"Persani plans to employ more coaches to train the gymnasts. Alexander Gusrov and Elenora have been chosen," Hastuti was quoted by Antara as saying.

Hastuti and Frederick Huma, the association's technical director, said foreign coaches were vital for the squad.

Frederick said the foreign coaches had helped the gymnasts shape their routines which local coaches had not thought about.

"Foreign coaches have more experience than our coaches since they have trained gymnasts of world caliber," Frederick said.

Irina, coach of the women's team, said local gymnasts had progressed and were easy to train.

Irina, who has trained the team for two years, has two local assistant coaches.

"The gymnasts train five hours a day, two hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon. The gymnasts are training intensively," she said.

"I only hope the gymnasts can capture as many golds as possible in the SEA Games," Irina said.

Indonesia hopes to win several gold medals in gymnastics at the SEA Games. Sixteen golds are at stake: 14 for men's and women's artistic events and two for women's rhythmic gymnastics. (lnt)