Indonesia keeps on firing in shooting

By Stevie Emilia

JAKARTA (JP): There were hugs all around in the Indonesian camp after another gold in the women's running target mixed run team event yesterday.

The trio of Hasmawarni, Puji Lestari and Herce Meiske Tumbuan met the congratulations of their coaches and teammates with smiles.

"I can't describe my feelings, we're just so happy," Herce, the winner of two other golds in running target individual and team events on Tuesday, told The Jakarta Post.

Vietnam and Cambodia were second and third.

At the completion of yesterday's contests, Indonesia was still atop the medal standings with 11 golds, two silvers and six bronzes, ahead of Thailand with seven golds and 10 silvers.

Malaysia, which captured four golds yesterday, ranks third with four golds, three silvers and two bronzes.

"Today's results further contributed to our surpassing the target to get five golds in this Games, which was set by the National Sports Council," Indonesian shooting team manager Sita Dewi Razni told the Post.

She said the medalists would receive bonuses, but declined to elaborate in what form they would be.

"It's not in my authority to say that, let Pak Sutiyoso answer that question," she said, in reference to the Jakarta governor and executive director of the Indonesian Shooting and Hunting Association.

Malaysia won all other golds up for grabs yesterday.

Azmi Zakaria, who ranked second in the qualification round, won the men's individual air rifle (688.9), beating Thailand shooter Majchacheep Tavarit (688.8).

Bronze went to Myanmar's Aung Nyaneni(683.8)

Malaysia also won the men's air rifle team, beating Thailand and Myanmar.

Malaysia's women showed their power in the individual and team sport rifle events.

Nurulhuda binti Baharin (666.2) won gold in the individual, as silver went to Dangpiam Jarintorn of Thailand (662.9) and Vietnam's shooter Dang Thi Dong (656.9) won the bronze.

With their 1,690 points, Malaysia edged Thailand (1,685) and Vietnam (1,682).