Indonesian lifters off to winning start

The Jakarta Post, Hanoi

Jadi Setiadi and Gustar Junianto proved to be the strongest lifters in their divisions, as Indonesia won two out of three gold medals on offer on the opening day of the weightlifting competition here on Tuesday.

Jadi won the men's 56kg category with the best total lift of 270 kg, while Gustar put his recent suspension behind him to lift a total of 290 kg in the men's 62kg division.

The victories brought on all-round-smiles, with team manager Johanes Karsan saying the two medals were a good start for Indonesia. At the games, 13 gold medals in weightlifting are up for grabs.

"Our lifters have shown they are the best on the opening day," he said.

Jadi, who weighs 53.84 kg, was the lightest among the six contenders. He lifted 120 kg in the snatch, which was equal to Vietnamese Hoang Anh Tuan's lift. But the Indonesian registered 150 kg in the clean-and-jerk, 5 kg heavier than his rival's.

Tuan, with a total of 265kg had to be content with the silver, while the bronze went to Mohd. Faizal Baharom of Malaysia with a combined weight of 252.5 kg.

Gustar, who was back on the scene after a two-year suspension due to doping, overpowered his four opponents with 130 kg in the snatch and 160 kg in the clean-and-jerk. His total was 290kg, 10 kg heavier than silver medalist Nguyen Manh Thang of Vietnam and 12.5 kg heavier than bronze medalist Chom Singnoi of Thailand.

Rosmaniar, in the women's 48kg category, found she was up against stronger opponents in Myanmarese Kay Thi Win and Thai Aree Wiratthaworn. She pulled in the bronze with a lift totaling 177.5 kg.

Kay lifted a total of 200 kg, while Wiratthaworn registered a combined weight of 185 kg.