Indonesia set to dominate rowing events at SEA Games
Indonesia set to dominate rowing events at SEA Games
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is set to dominate in the rowing
competition at the 19th Southeast Asian Games following the
withdrawal of a number of athletes from other participating
countries.
The 19th SEA Games organizing committee's competition deputy,
M. Hindarto said Saturday other participating countries have a
right to reduce the number of their athletes. He was speaking
after the "Tabligh Akbar" prayer at the Al Azhar Mosque.
"We can only anticipate everything will go well," he told
Antara, adding he did not know why Singaporean athletes had
withdrawn from the canoeing and rowing events.
"Singapore has a great chance in both events. I don't know why
they withdrew," he said.
He urged the Indonesian Rowing Association to discuss the
problem with Singapore and confirm their participation in the
Games, which will run from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19.
"Singapore has less chance compared to Indonesia in the
traditional boat race," he said.
"For the traditional boat race, Indonesia must be wary of
Myanmar and Thailand, while in canoeing and rowing Singapore has
a big chance," Hindarto said.
An event at the Games requires a minimum three participating
countries before it can proceed.
Participation
Four or five countries will participate in most events at the
Games. Only three countries will participate in the javelin and
women's weight lifting heavy division.
Indonesia must persuade other countries to send more athletes
to the Games.
But Indonesian athletes should not dominate all events,
Hindarto said.
Host Indonesia must reevaluate all Games participants. The
country's athletes must pass the requirements of the National
Sport Council before being allowed to participate.
Hindarto said the number of athletes are decreasing in a large
number of events, including the Olympics.
"Indonesia will receive wild cards if an event has less
participants," he said.
If the number of participants in an event decreases, Indonesia
must announce which event has to be canceled to other
participating countries one week after the entry by name.
Hindarto said so far none of the events had been canceled.
Badminton
The Badminton Association of Malaysia announced Saturday that
veteran shuttler Rashid Sidek would compete at the Games.
Antara said Malaysia would also field Ong Ewe Hock and Yong
Hock Kin in the men's singles.
The association's chairman Datuk Dr Abdullah Fadzil Che Wan
said Malaysia would feature new men's doubles of Cheah Soon Kit
and Pang Cheh Chang. Pang replaced Yap Kim Hock, who is still
undergoing medical treatment.
Coach Morten Frost Hansen, a former Dane shuttler, expected
Yap to recover quickly and compete with Cheah next month.
Malaysia is expected to win the silver and gold in badminton.
Indonesia's SEA Games bodybuilding team is yet to be
announced, and is waiting for the drug test results after the
bodybuilders competed at the National Selection Saturday.
The Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding
Association's secretary-general Djoko Pramono said every winner
in each division automatically joins the country's team, if their
test results are negative.
Results
The results will be announced next week.
The association plans to feature eight bodybuilders and three
reserve athletes.
Twelve bodybuilders being groomed for the Games still dominate
the selection, in which 39 athletes from 10 provinces
participated.
Association official Budi Santoso said they aim to win three
golds from eight on offer at the Games.
Budi said Singapore, which dominated the 1993 SEA Games, would
still be Indonesia's toughest rival.
Results
Under 55kgs:
1. Cornelis Morin (SEAG training)
2. Ridwan (Jakarta)
3. Handoko (Yogyakarta)
60kg:
1. Asrelawandi (SEAG training)
2. Aan Palma (Jakarta)
3. David Kayam (SEAG training)
65kg:
1. Syafrizal (SEAG training)
2. Sumardi (Central Java)
3. Arifin (Jakarta)
70kg:
1. Tukiman (SEAG training)
2. Didit Supriyanto (SEAG training)
3. Edeng Sambas (West Java)
75kg:
1. Komara Dwitayana (SEAG training)
2. I Nyoman (Bali)
3. Ahmad Hadi (North Sumatra)
80kg:
1. Rustam Mahadi (SEAG training)
2. Sutaraga (Jakarta)
3. Muryono (SEAG training)
85kg:
1. Wempie Wungau (SEAG training)
2. Harry Hermawan (SEAG training)
3. M. Kuwat (Central Java)
Over 85kg:
1. Ade Rai (SEAG training)
2. Sandhy (Jakarta)
3. Amin (Jakarta)