Indonesian best climber has doubts about victory

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia's world champion speed climber, Etti Hendrawati, is reluctant to rate her chances of victory at the 10th Asian Sports Climbing Championships, taking place on Saturday and Sunday at the Eastern Plaza of the Bung Karno Sports Complex, Central Jakarta.

Etti, whose most recent international achievement was a victory in the Asia Cup Speed Climbing Championships in Kunming, China in March, said on Friday that she had had just two weeks' preparation for the event.

"I'm not setting any targets for myself due to my poor preparation. I will just concentrate and climb," she told reporters.

Her busy schedule ahead of this weekend's Championships included the national championships in Tanjung Pinang in Riau last month, where she won.

The weekend meet will feature speed and difficulty events for both genders.

Etti expected Indonesia to finish among the top three in speed climbing, while in the difficulty climbing category the country's chances of seizing a medal looked remote.

South Korean and Japanese competitors have traditionally been considered the powerhouses of difficulty climbing.

"In the difficulty event, the contest is wide open in the absence of Japanese climbers. But Asia's top climber Go Mi-sun of South Korea is here so it's still difficult for us to grab the top position in the event," Etti said.

Etti, who is third in the national rankings for difficulty climbing, said she always faced strong competition from team mates Evi Nelywati and Yuyun Yuniar in the speed event.

Indonesia will rely on Bondan Kartiko, Ronald Marimbing, Tony Firmansyah and Nurahman Rosyid in the men's division.

In a separate development, the 16-strong Hong Kong team decided to merge with mainland China, which is only sending two climbers.

"It doesn't matter if the two teams join forces," organizing committee spokesman Effendi Soen told The Jakarta Post by phone.

He said teams from Iraq, Japan and Thailand had not registered until the Friday deadline.

A total of 97 climbers from 10 countries have confirmed their participation in the championships, despite earlier security worries.

The event is making a return to Indonesia after being held here in 1996.

The Indonesian Climbing Federation (FPTI) will use the championships to select climbers for the World Cup in Malaysia next month.