Indonesian athletes rule the roost in karate
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Indonesia lived up to its status as the region's karate powerhouse by taking five of the six karate gold medals up for grabs on the first day of the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here on Sunday.
Abdullah Kadir gave Indonesia an ideal start with a gold medal in the men's individual kata. The trio of Wahyu Widayat, Aswan Ali and Elias Tande followed suit with the men's team kata gold.
The women's events further confirmed Indonesia's karate dominance, with kata specialist Omita Olga Ompi winning a record fifth straight SEA Games gold. Endang Trimurti Wulandari, Fitria Mega and Merani Mega Sjawkat completed Indonesia's sweep in kata with a victory in the team event.
Hasan Basri, Sonny S, Umar Syarif, Nofilus Jokai and Arif Taufan Syamsudin gave Indonesia its final gold medal in the men's kumite fighting event. Their female counterparts had to settle for the bronze, with Malaysia triumphing in the women's event by defeating Vietnam in the final.
Kadir showed his mastery of the empi and unshu martial arts movements, scoring a 79 on his way to winning Indonesia's maiden gold medal at this year's Games.
Malaysian Jin Keat and Richard Anthony Lim of the Philippines took the silver and bronze, respectively.
Kadir, who plans to get married and retire next year, was jubilant after learning he won Indonesia's first gold of the event.
"I just learned that I was competing in the first gold medal event of the Games. I didn't realize that I won the first gold for Indonesia. It's great to end my career with a gold," Asian Games bronze medalist Kadir said.
He hailed his Malaysian and Philippine opponents, but said experience helped him come out on top. "I have met them so many times that I knew what to do to win."
State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono and National Sports Council (KONI) chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar joined the victory celebration at the 500-seat karate hall in the Royal Brunei Airlines Sports Complex.
Aswan said he and his friends were tense before stepping into the hall, citing the psychological pressure to retain the title they won on home soil two years ago.
"It's more difficult to defend a title than to win one. Fortunately, we managed to overcome the mental pressure," Aswan said.
Omita received a 42 for her basaisho performance, equal to the score received by Malaysian Lim Lee Lee. But the judges awarded the gold to Omita for her "convincing steps", according to an Indonesian official. Armi B. Yap of the Philippines finished third for the bronze.
A tearful Omita was thankful for her victory. "I was sure that God would help me do my best in my last performance."
The 30-year-old karateka said she would retire after these SEA Games, citing age, job and family.
"I hope to have children. I always dreamed of training them and making them karate champions," said Omita, who married Decky Apelesticoalo last year.
Agung praised Indonesia's karatekas, but said he was not surprised by their performance. "I predicted this outcome. I hope the good start they made will give a boost to their teammates."
Agung also promised to give cash bonuses to SEA Games medalists. However, he declined to specify the amount, saying it would be left up to KONI. (yan)