Indonesia fails to secure medals in SEAG karate events

KUALA LUMPUR (JP): The Indonesian karate team was brought down to earth at the Southeast Asian Games here on Sunday after failing to win a gold medal, including in its favorite kata event.

Host Malaysia dominated the martial art competition held at the Tenaga National University (Uniten) Sports Hall in Kajang, Selangor some 30 kilometers south of here, winning four of the seven gold medals at stake.

Indonesia's best bet in the women's individual kata, Endah Zubaedah, displaying the Goju Shio-dai routine, was beaten by Malaysian Lim Lee Lee who topped the scoreboard through her Basamura Basai performance.

Malaysia also tripped Indonesia in the men's category, when Ku Jin Keat outscored Aswan, who performed the Unsu routine.

The double defeat left the Indonesian team crying foul over the standard of refereeing.

"I don't know what else to say. You saw how our karatekas performed," kata coach Christine Taroreh said after the competition.

"The new system is doing us more damage than good. We would have beaten Malaysia if the point system had remained in effect. It tends to make judges only remember the last routine and give less attention to the fighters who had earlier turns.

"With the former system, judges gave points right after a fighter performed, just like in gymnastics. But with the new system, three judges flash either the red or blue flag after two fighters perform their routine.

"The new system gives emphasis to the rhythm and flow but ignores a fighter's strength. Judges decisions are based more on the artistic side, especially in the team event," said Christine, Indonesia's former top karateka.

Christine also pointed out the fact that both the Malaysian kata winners were Shitoryu disciples, who are currently dominating world karate in place of those of Shotokan.

Indonesia had set a target of taking between five and seven gold medals from 19 events on show in karate. But the chance looks remote as Indonesian karatekas also failed in five kumite events.

In the men's under 55 kilogram weight class, Indonesian Isfan Rahfisal Tanjung was beaten 3-2 by eventual winner Malaysian Puvaneswaran Ramasamy in the semifinals. Isfan took the bronze after defeating Piched Jareanpanid of Thailand 6-4 in the repechage round. The second bronze was awarded to Eddie Jofriani of Brunei Darussalam who defeated Singaporean Koh Han Wen 8-5. Ramasamy defeated Vietnamese Pham Tranh Nguyen 3-2 in the final.

Jenny Zeannet also had to be satisfied with the bronze in a dramatic semifinal against defending champion Pham Hong Ha of Vietnam, who came out the winner after scoring the only point in the sudden-death overtime of the women's under 48kg class.

Both fighters failed to score any points and the three-minute match was declared a tie. In the subsequent one-minute additional match, a punch from Pham was awarded a point, despite the fact that only one jury called it.

Jenny could not hold back her tears when the judge decided in favor of Pham. In the final, Pham defeated Malaysian Ng Chai Lin 8-6.

In the repechage round, Jenny outclassed Masdiana binti Haji Tengah of Brunei 8-1 for the bronze and Maria Marna M. Pabillore of the Philippines defeated Thin Thin Thuzar of Myanmar 2-1 to secure the other bronze.

Indonesia's winless run continued in the afternoon session. Meity Kaseger secured the silver medal after being defeated 9-2 by Filipino Gretchen S. Malalad in the women's over 60kg class.

Muhammad Umar Syarif was defeated in the men's over 80kg category by Dam Srijan of Thailand for a bronze. Dam was then defeated by Filipino Jose Mari P. Pabillore in the final. The second bronze medal went to Malaysian Alexander Arlanthu.

Indonesia's hopeful in the men's under 75kg weight class, Novilius Tedius Yoku, also earned a bronze when he lost 1-5 to eventual winner Malaysian Rayner Kin Siong in the semifinals. Novilius beat Chinsuvate Jetiumrat of Thailand 9-1 in the repechage round and Ryan Bonifacio F.

Mariano III defeated Mohammad Fazil Riewandi bin Mohammad Faizal of Brunei 9-2 to claim the other bronze. (nvn)