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)