Indonesian lifters hope for two golds at 2002 Asiad

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian weightlifting body PABBSI, which is currently preparing eight lifters for the 2002 Asian Games, were hoping to win two gold medals, according to coach Hadi Wihardja.

Hadi appraised Indonesia's medal prospects based on the team's recent performance at the Asian Championship in Pattaya, Thailand.

"Lisa Rumbewas' total lift of 195 kilograms is only two and half kilograms below the 2001 world record posted by Chinese Liu Hiu Hua," Hadi told The Jakarta Post here on Friday.

Lisa's 195 kilogram lift earned her one of the three golds in the women's 48-kg division in Pattaya, Thailand. The other two came from the snatch, and clean and jerk categories.

"She should be competing against Hua in the Asian Games," Hadi, who is also a member of the evaluating team at PABBSI, said, adding that another likely strong contender would be Kay Ti Win of Myanmar.

The former national star also mentioned the men's 69-kg division as the other weight class where Indonesia hopes to vie for gold with Erwin Abdullah.

Like Lisa, Erwin won three golds in Pattaya with his total lift of 332.5 kilograms.

Although the weight, according to Hadi, is far below the Asian record of 345 kilograms, Erwin should be able to improve within the next two months before the team's departure to Busan, which is the site of the Asian Games.

"That (Pattaya) was only a tryout, his performance peak will be in Busan," he said.

The Pattaya meet featured athletes from ten nations in 15 events.

With all of its eight Asian hopefuls taking part in five events, the Indonesian team brought home 15 gold, two silver and four bronze medals.

The other gold medalists were Tanti Pratiwi with three in the women's 58-kg, Yadi Setiadi with three in the men's 56-kg, Nusyanto with two and Sunarto with one, both in the men's 62-kg division.

However, in Busan, they are expected to struggle against the likes of China and North Korea, both of which were absent in Pattaya.

"Bronzes are the most realistic hopes for them," Hadi said.

Besides Hadi, Indonesia's coaching team comprises Lukman, Yulien Lasut, who along with Hadi are in charge of the Jakarta- based athletes, Imron, who is responsible of those in Lampung.

The Asian Games will run from Sept. 29 to Oct. 14, to which Indonesian sporting delegation is tentatively preparing around 130 athletes to compete in 19 sports.