Indonesia hopes for 2 gold medals in Olympic Games
Indonesia hopes for 2 gold medals in Olympic Games
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is hoping to win two gold medals in
the Sydney Olympic Games next month, improving its achievement of
four years ago in Atlanta, Georgia, when national shuttlers Ricky
Subagja and Rexy Mainaky brought home the country's sole gold.
The National Sports Council (KONI) chairman, Wismoyo
Arismunandar, said on Tuesday after the Indonesian contingent
installment ceremony that he was pinning all his hopes on
national shuttlers, although Indonesia's chances in other sports
were still wide open.
Indonesia -- which is sending 48 athletes, 23 coaches and 19
officials to the quadrennial event from Sept. 15 to Oct. 1 -- is
also hoping to earn medals from women's weightlifting and
windsurfing.
National badminton ace Hendrawan and teenage star Taufik
Hidayat are strong candidates to win the men's singles title at
the Olympics. However, they will face tough competition from
Peter Gade Christensen and defending champion Poul-Erik Hoyer-
Larsen of Denmark, Xia Xuanze of China and Wong Choon Hann of
Malaysia.
"Winning both the Indonesia and Malaysia Open gave me the
confidence to believe that I have a great chance to win the
Olympics gold. But it will be the toughest competition as
everybody wants the crown. I just have to prepare myself better,"
said Taufik, whose ranking will jump to number one from three
after winning the Malaysia Open on Sunday.
Hendrawan declined to speak about his chances, but instead
nodded briefly and said: "Just watch my performance at the
Olympics."
Compatriot Marlev Mainaky is expected to be able to smoothen
his teammates paths to the final. Indonesia's Alan Budikusuma won
the men's singles gold in 1992 when badminton was featured for
the first time.
In the men's doubles, which is one of Indonesia's strengths,
world number one Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan are optimistic
about their chances of taking the gold.
"We must win the gold. If we only bring home the silver, it
would mean we failed," said Tony.
Indonesian doubles showed their might in tournaments prior to
the Olympics with Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian managing to win the
Malaysia Open.
"Our victory at the Malaysia Open will increase our motivation
to win the gold medal. We are not afraid of any pairs in the
world," said Eng Hian.
Both doubles will face South Koreans Kim Dong-moon and Ha Tae-
kwon and also Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung as tough contenders.
Chinese Zhang Wei and Zhang Jun, Danish Jens Eriksen and Jesper
Larsen, Malaysians Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah and seniors
Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky will be dark horses at the event.
Top 16
Swimmers Richard Sam Bera and Albert Sutanto aim to finish
among the top 16 in their respective events.
Richard, who will compete in both 50-meter and 100-meter
freestyle, said: "My personal target is to reach the semifinals
at the Olympics. I, at the very least, have to be the fastest
among the Asian swimmers in the event."
Richard, competing in his third Olympics, has never reached
the semifinals before. In the 1988 Olympics he finished only in
32nd position while in 1996 he finished 25th.
Albert, who will swim in both 100m and 200m butterfly stroke
events, said compared to Richard, he had a better chance of being
among the top 16.
"Richard has to compete with big names like Alexander Popov of
Russia and Ian Thorpe of Australia. I think I have a much better
chance in my event."
Both Richard and Albert said reaching the top 16 was the most
realistic target in the event.
"No Indonesian swimmers have ever managed to reach the semis.
We want to draft a new history," Albert said.
Indonesian swimmers -- Richard, Albert, Felix Sutanto, Akbar
Nasution, Stephen Chandra and women's swimmer Elsa Manora
Nasution -- have been training for nearly eight months.
Albert, Felix and Stephen opted to train here while Richard,
who has trained in California, returned home earlier as his
mother passed away early this month.
Only Elsa and Akbar are training in Brisbane. (ivy/yan)