Indonesian athletes rule the roost in karate

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)