Indonesian fencers fall in Asian Games third round

BANGKOK (JP): Indonesian fencers got off to a poor start when the 13th Asian Games as they were dumped out of the competition in the third round of the individual epee competition on Friday.

Best hope Sylvia Kristina Koeswandi lost to Japan's Yuko Arai 3-15, a reversal of their duel in the round-robin group match narrowly won by Sylvia 2-1.

Sri Ayanti Satimin became the second Indonesian to fall in the day, crashing to a 7-15 defeat to Natalya Goncharova of Kazakhstan. Mutti Susiarini joined the list of Indonesian casualties when she was beaten 6-12 to Toshi Obata of Japan.

Coach Sucipto blamed the defeats on his charges' lack of experience.

"Our fencers are in the same league with their rivals, but they fall short of experience in competitive events.

"In the past year we only competed in a few international events due to financial constraints. During the same period, our rivals from China, Japan, South Korea and Kazakhstan played in between nine and 13 international tournaments," he said.

Sylvia, Mutti and Sri went for an overseas stint in France for about two weeks in October prior to the Games but it was not enough to improve their form, according to Sucipto.

"In France we didn't have any chance to spar with our Asian opponents. We are blind about our rivals' strengths," Sucipto said.

But Sucipto said he was satisfied enough with his fencers' performance.

"Sylvia and Sri finished second in their respective groups and it's fairly good," he said.

Indonesia is now seeking a bronze medal in the women's epee team event, scheduled for Dec. 16.

"I will ask the fencers to see their psychologist in order to regain their self-confidence going to the team event. We badly hope they win a medal," said Sucipto.

The coach expects a tough challenge from Japan in the hunt for the bronze, while China and South Korea look unstoppable to set up a final showdown. (yan)