Indonesia wins Brighton bridge

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian bridge team received a warm welcome at home on Saturday after winning the Bridge Union international tournament in Brighton, England.

Their faces wreathed in smiles, the bridge aces, the duo of Henky Lasut and Eddy Manoppo, the pair of Deny Sakul and Franky Karwur and the partnership of Santje Penelewen and Giovani Watulingas, showed off the Four Stars trophy in a brief welcome ceremony led by chief of the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association Wiranto at Soekarno-Hatta airport.

The national team collected 92 points to triumph in the Aug. 17-Aug. 25 event which is billed as one of the biggest annual tournaments in Europe. The world's best 280 pairs took part in this year's meet.

Coming second behind Indonesia was Sweden, followed by the United States.

Adding spice to Indonesia's celebration, Panelewan and Watulingas were named the best tandem during the "Play with Expert" exhibition during the tournament.

Team manager Munawar Sawirudin told Wiranto that his players had assured their victory after the penultimate session of the eight-round final.

Wiranto said the victory would serve as a confidence boost to the national team which is gearing up for the Olympics of Bridge in Athens from Oct. 19 to Nov. 2.

"This victory proves that Indonesia is a world-class team in bridge," said Wiranto, who is also the chief of the Army Strategic Reserves Command.

Indonesia, which won the Far East Bridge Federation championship and the Australia Open last year, is now setting its sights on winning the Bermuda Bowl world championship it will host in 2001. (amd)