Indonesia aims for three taekwondo golds in Games

Indonesia aims for three taekwondo golds in Games

By Primastuti Handayani

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Taekwondo Association (TI) is one
among several sports organizations which focus its top athletes
for the 2000 Olympics and field newcomers in the 20th Southeast
Asian (SEA) Games without any intention of underestimating the
biennial event.

TI is being realistic by only targeting three of 16 golds on
offer because it groomed five seniors of its 16 athletes for the
Games in Brunei Darussalam from Aug. 7 to Aug. 15.

TI secretary-general Ahmad Zarkasih Hamid said two golds were
expected from the women's side and another one from the men's. He
declined to say, however, which athletes would likely contribute
the golds.

South Korean coach Oh Il-nam said the gold medals were
expected to come from senior players including Andri Halim, Sinta
Berliana Heru, Ade Novriza and Nico Ardiansyah.

Oh expressed concern, however, on his long absence at the
taekwondo training center in South Jakarta as he is also focusing
his attention on the top Taekwon Doins, who are being prioritized
to qualify for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Taekwondo will make
its debut as a medal sport in the quadrennial event.

So far, only Juana Wangsa Putri in the women's finals has
qualified for the Olympics after reaching the semifinals in the
Olympics qualification in Croatia in mid-July. Three other
athletes -- Dominggus Boro, Veronica Widyarini and Satrio
Rahardani -- will try their best at the Asian Regional
Championships in Manila in September.

"I'm so busy that I hardly have time to supervise the
training. They are coached by my assistants and I don't have
enough time left to prepare them," Oh said, adding that athletes
were gathered since May 14 for the training program.

"I haven't seen their training but I have handed out the
programs to be conducted."

Oh said there was not enough time for a tryout.

"Some athletes have competed in several domestic championships
but the rivals quality may not meet their standard."

The preparation this year is shorter than two years ago when
national athletes spent several weeks in South Korea for an
overseas stint.

To cover the lack of tryouts, TI hired a coach from the
Marines, Sukarji, to improve seven female and eight male
athletes' physical condition and competitiveness.

"Our athletes always have problems with their killer instinct
before fighting. Hopefully, our new measure will help them
overcome their mental barrier."

In general, Zarkasih named the Vietnamese and Filipinos as
tough rivals.

Barrier

Oh said a lack of experience was the main barrier for the
young athletes.

"They have never competed in the SEA Games before and this
year they don't have any sparring partners or overseas tryouts."

Oh expressed disappointment with himself after 10 years
experience of training in Indonesia.

"In Indonesia, athletes return home after an event, just like
what happened after the 1998 Asian Games. We must start from
scratch to boost their physical condition and technical skills to
reach a standard."

"A Taekwon Doin must train continuously. Just like what I am
doing with Satrio and Juana. I hope both of them can fulfill my
ambition to produce a world champion from Indonesia."

Taekwondo team members:

Men's: Nico Ardiansyah (finweight), Satriono (flyweight), Derry
Dermansyah (bantamweight), Yoga Perdana Priambodo
(featherweight), Fadly Potu (lightweight), Bayu Frimansyah
(welterweight), Joko Arianto (middleweight), Andri Halim
(heavyweight)

Women's: Ade Novriza (finweight), Marce Novita Latusallo
(flyweight), Desy Nurhayati (bantamweight), Jusmiati
(featherweight), Veronica Widyarini (lightweight), Sinta Berliana
Heru (welterweight), Ertina Nopi Yanti (middleweight), Santi
Agustini (heavyweight)