Indonesia grabs six gold medals at silat c'ships

Indonesia grabs six gold medals at silat c'ships

JAKARTA (JP): Host Indonesia harvested six golds -- two from
fighting events and four from martial arts events -- in the final
round of the 2000 Pencak Silat World Championships at Pencak
Silat Center in Taman Mini Indonesia Indah on Friday.

Neighboring countries Malaysia grabbed two golds while Vietnam
brought home one.

Indonesia's first gold was won by Abdul Karim in the men's A
class (45-50kgs) by defeating Abang Erdie Fauzerul Abang Fauzan
of Malaysia 4-1.

"I was motivated because Malaysia has won two golds already. I
promised myself that Malaysia wouldn't get the third one," Abdul
told reporters after the match. "Before my final, I was confident
of winning the gold."

Both pesilat (fighters) showed equal skills but Abdul managed
to find Erdie's weaknesses and capitalize on them.

"I attacked Erdie with T-kicks, usually I use straight-forward
kicks, because his footing was weak and open," said Abdul.

Abdul, however, criticized the referee for not paying
attention to the fact that Erdie committed several foot-sweeping
violations in the third round.

Khairul Almin bin Pengiran Haji Mohammad of Brunei Darussalam
and Vigot Anot of the Philippines shared the bronze medals.

While Indonesian Septi Hariandja captured the second gold in
the women's E class (65-70kgs) by defeating Len Nguyet Minh of
Vietnam 3-2 in a close fight.

"I fought without any worry. But I was nervous as I was the
last hope to get the gold in the women's division," she said.

"I had led some points in the first round but my rival managed
to thwart my tactics and counter my attacks. In the third round,
we fought really close."

Magdalena Sofia of Spain and Suryati Azlinda binte Jack of
Malaysia shared the bronze medals.

Indonesia women's coach, Dahliana, said she had expected two
golds from both Septi and Dwi in the women's side.

"Our women fighters are facing tough competition from other
countries, very different from the past. Besides, we are also
short of local competitions. We used to have the Kartini Cup
tournament for women fighters but it was discontinued."

"Vietnam is our main threat. They are very serious because
pencak silat is a priority sport there. They offered two options
to their athletes, whether to study or have a career in silat."

Unfortunately, two other Indonesians had to succumb to their
opponents.

In the men's J class (90-95kgs), Samuel Mallo was defeated by
Malaysian Zakri bin Ibrahim 3-2. While Malaysian Azlinda binte
Ahmad overcame Dwi Damayanti 4-1 in the women's F class (70-
75kgs).

Vietnam won its first gold medal through Dang Thi Thuy in the
women's D class (60-65kgs) after defeating Malaysian Mastura
binte Sapuan 5-0.

In the martial arts, men's singles Kusnajaya, women's doubles
Widya Astuti and Heni Mahendrawati, women's team of Ami
Lutiasari, Irma Nilawati and Suhartini and men's team of Anugrah
Joko Laksono, Achmad Rizanu Wahyudi and Yunanto Chandra Wijaya
contributed one gold medal each.

Fighters will rest on Saturday as delegates of the
International Pencak Silat Federation (Persilat) are holding a
conference.

One item on the agenda is to elect a new president, currently
held by Eddie Nalapraya of Indonesia. Another item is to ask
members' opinions on staging pencak silat as an exhibition event
in the Pusan 2002 Asian Games. (nvn)