Hopes to be a hero inspire Antonius to run

PENGALENGAN, West Java (JP): Six years ago, 18-year-old Antonius Fallo could not take his eyes off the TV screen as Eduardus Nabunome, from East Nusa Tenggara, won three gold medals for running in the 13th National Games (PON) in Jakarta.

Eduardus, nicknamed Edo, won gold in the 1,500-meter, 5,000- meter and 10-kilometer events, and since then he has been a hero in Kupang, the capital of the province. Edo, who was born and raised in the town, has received houses and jobs from the East Nusa Tenggara authorities.

Deep down in his heart, young Antonius grew the hope to equal Edo's success. He started to run seriously and competed in local track-and-field championships.

"I love being a runner. I saw Edo in 1993 and I want to be just like him," he told The Jakarta Post in his dormitory at the tea plantation.

Born on Aug. 8, 1975, Antonius was raised in a farming family in Waikusi village. He used to walk several kilometers to school on quiet roads where few vehicles passed.

He started training at his early age in a nearby infantry base camp, where he helped the soldiers do their daily routines.

"I used to help them wash, clean and do other things, and they trained me in return," he said, adding that he worked closely with Capt. Sukiman.

When Sukiman had to move to his new base camp in Kupang in 1993, he took Antonius, the youngest of nine children, with him.

"I kept on training and I only returned home when I had won in a championship," he said.

In 1994, he worked out with the East Nusa Tenggara regional military commander, Col. Elisa Hemahua.

In the same year, Antonius competed in the Indonesian Open for the first time and he finished fifth.

"I wore a pair of running shoes for the first time in that competition. I usually ran barefoot because the road surfaces in my village were smooth and did not hurt me," he said.

In 1996, Antonius took part in the 14th PON and ranked fourth. The next year, he moved up to regional event, the 19th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, and got a bronze in the men's 10,000 meters.

Following his success, he was awarded a job at the East Nusa Tenggara provincial development planning agency.

"But I'm between my civil servant job and my running career. I'm not 100 percent doing my work," he said.

Antonius aims to run in the Olympics some day. "But I have to go on step by step."

Next month, Antonius will have another chance to achieve his dream of winning a gold medal at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam. He will fight together with former idol Edo to hoist the red-and-white flag.

Coach Nicky Pattiasina expressed hope that Antonius could yield medals in the SEA Games.

"I hope Antonius could surprise us as Edo is getting older," he said, adding that Antonius' personal best during practice was not far off Edo's.(ivy)