Indonesia perks up with seven-gold sweep
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post/Manila
The national contingent enjoyed its best day of the Games so far on Wednesday, with a haul of seven gold medals, including one thanks to the unexpected reversal of a judging decision and another from a perennial favorite in the pool.
The golds -- from rowing, bowling, shooting, swimming, wushu, fencing and athletics on that sport's last day -- brought Indonesia's gold total to 17 and kept it in fifth place behind the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand.
The day started off with a gold from Pere Karoba in the women's single sculls. It was soon followed by Bary Agustini Said's 10-meter air pistol triumph, along with a new Games record, the first gold for the policewoman since 1997.
Wushu athlete Susyana was initially awarded a silver in jian shu, but later in the day she was given joint gold with local athlete Becky Ting, with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo doing the honors.
The Indonesian team had complained about the judging, which is coming under scrutiny in almost all sports with accusations of bias to the host nation.
"For the hosts to try to take advantage in their own backyard is acceptable, but they're becoming excessive," Indonesian Wushu Association chairman Supandi Kusuma said.
In San Juan City, the fencing foursome of Ansye Pattiasina, Enny Handayani, Isnawaty and Rini Ismalasari contributed the next top-podium finish in the women's epee competition.
Richard Sambera, who turns 34 on Dec. 19 and won his first SEA Games gold back in 1989, proved his enduring prowess by beating 20-something rivals for the 100 meters freestyle gold.
The 10-pin bowling team added another gold through Happy Soediyono and Putty Armein in the women's doubles.
At long last, there was a golden moment at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, with former 1,500-meter runner Oliva Sadi winning gold on the final day in the 5,000 meters.
But there was disappointment for John Herman Murai, the sprinter from Papua who is enjoying the best season of his career at the age of 27. His time of 21.27 seconds put him second behind Sittichai Suwonprateep of Thailand in 20.94.
"I'm disappointed and I apologize to the Indonesian people," said a dejected John, who was fifth in the 100 meters on Monday. "They provided the funds for me to come to Manila, and I'm sorry."
In the men's team badminton final, the Indonesian men were unable to defend their crown against Malaysia, even with the considerable skills of Olympic and World champion Taufik Hidayat.
Taufik beat Lee Chong Wei 15-13, 15-7 to put Indonesia up 1- 0, but Malaysia later came back to level the match 2-2 before Wong Choong Hann, in the third and deciding singles, beat Simon Santoso 15-9, 15-7 to clinch the gold.