Indonesian diver Shenny aims to reach Olympics semifinals

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian diver Shenny Ratna Amelia is optimistic she will fulfill her personal ambition to reach the semifinals in the upcoming Olympic Games in Sydney.

Speaking to reporters before a training session at the Senayan diving pool, the 15-year-old diver said a one-month overseas stint in Wuhan, China, had been very helpful for her to improve her technical skills.

"I learned to improve my concentration. I also managed to increase my motivation as well as my self confidence," she said.

"I had five practice partners in Wuhan. They were all good although they were one level below the Chinese team.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to join a competition due to the limited time."

"I also improved my confidence and control. For example, I can't let my body shake when I am about to dive," said Shenny.

Shenny, who was born in Jakarta on Oct. 28, 1984, is following in the footsteps of the late Myrna Sukasah. Myrna, who passed away in June due to breast cancer, represented Indonesia in diving for the last time in the 1972 Olympics in Munich.

"The preliminary session starts on Sept. 22 when athletes have to perform five dives. Each participating country can be represented by two divers," she said.

Eighteen divers will compete in the semifinals with 12 going through to the finals on Sept. 24. Diving will be featured from Sept. 22 to Sept. 30 at the Sydney Olympic pool in Homebush Bay.

Shenny said tough competition was expected from countries such as China, Russia, Germany, Japan, and Malaysia.

Along with other Olympic qualifiers Eka Purnama Indah and Muhammad Nasrullah, Shenny returned home from the China trip on Sunday.

Shenny is preparing herself for five dives with point difficulty between 2.4 and 3.2.

"There is no time to change her movements now. I just hope that she learned well from the training in China," said coach Harly Ramayani.

"They polished the details of their diving techniques. They also met other divers who could broaden their perspectives."

"We expect Eka and Nasrullah to improve on the scores they produced in the Olympic trials. While Shenny is expected to reach the semifinal," said Harly, a former diver herself.

Harly said she just received a confirmation letter from the international swimming federation (FINA) on Eka's possibility to compete in the quadrennial event.

Harly also said she was looking for more divers to take part in synchronous diving pairs. The Sydney games will be the first appearance of synchronous numbers.

"We don't have enough skilled divers to take part in the new discipline. But I'll do my best to send our divers in the synchronized diving to the 2001 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur," she said.

"I believe we have a good chance in the event next year," she added. (nvn/yan)