Indonesia perks up with seven-gold sweep
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.