Indonesian swimmers outstanding in simulation
Indonesian swimmers outstanding in simulation
JAKARTA (JP): National swimmers performed outstandingly in a
two-day simulation session at the Senayan swimming pool in final
preparations for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei
Darussalam next month.
Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) chief of swimming
technical commission Lukman Niode said on Wednesday the results
were satisfying despite the limited preparation time.
"We hope the swimmers can use the simulation to rehearse for
the competition in Brunei. We also intentionally staged the
preliminary heats at 9.00 a.m. and the finals at 6.00 p.m. to
allow them to adjust to the competition time," he said. "Some of
the athletes are still nervous, but that's usual."
"I just love to see them smiling again after weeks of hard
training."
Lukman, a former national swimmer, said Thailand and Singapore
swimmers would be the toughest Games opponents.
"We must apply the right strategy to reach our goals at the
event."
PRSI will field Richard Sam Bera, Wisnu Wardhana, Steven
Chandra, twin brothers Albert and Felix Christiadi Sutanto,
Hendrik Eko Andi Putra and Muhammad Akbar Nasution in the men's
squad. The women's team will field Ati Yuliati, Dyah Ayu Rahmani,
Elsa Manora Nasution, Meitri W. Pangestika, Nancy Surya Atmadja
and Siripiya Sutanto.
Lukman said Richard would be a threat for both Thailand and
Singapore. Richard, who has competed at the Games since 1987, had
planned to retire after the 1997 Games here, but apparently he
could not be kept from the water.
"He's 27 and very experienced. Other swimmers will feel down
to see him at the pool again," Lukman said with a smile.
Coach Gerald P. Item said juniors had improved during the
simulation with five personal bests recorded. Akbar improved in
the 100m and 200m breaststroke, Eko cut his time in the 100m and
200m freestyle and Ati also improved in the 100m and 200m
butterfly stroke.
Senior swimmers, including Wisnu and Albert, were almost
within reach of their personal bests.
The simulation was also attended by PRSI chairman Rahardi
Ramelan. Rahardi said he wanted the athletes to fight for a win,
but he declined to state a medal target.
Separately, diving coach, Harly Ramayani, said national divers
had improved their skills during their overseas stint in China.
"We competed in Wenzhou, China, and Hong Kong and I think they
have improved a lot, specially Shenny Ratna," she said.
In the 1997 Games, Shenny took a silver as the result of a
controversial judgment from an Indonesian referee, who dispensed
a low score to the athlete.
Harly said Thailand and Malaysia would be tough rivals at the
Games, adding that she was unaware of the current state of Thai
divers.
"We only met Malaysia in China because its drivers were also
preparing there. But Thailand withdrew from the competitions at
the last minute."
The last international competition attended by Indonesian
divers was the 1997 Games, she said. (yan)
JAKARTA (JP): National swimmers performed outstandingly in a
two-day simulation session at the Senayan swimming pool in final
preparations for the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei
Darussalam next month.
Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) chief of swimming
technical commission Lukman Niode said on Wednesday the results
were satisfying despite the limited preparation time.
"We hope the swimmers can use the simulation to rehearse for
the competition in Brunei. We also intentionally staged the
preliminary heats at 9.00 a.m. and the finals at 6.00 p.m. to
allow them to adjust to the competition time," he said. "Some of
the athletes are still nervous, but that's usual."
"I just love to see them smiling again after weeks of hard
training."
Lukman, a former national swimmer, said Thailand and Singapore
swimmers would be the toughest Games opponents.
"We must apply the right strategy to reach our goals at the
event."
PRSI will field Richard Sam Bera, Wisnu Wardhana, Steven
Chandra, twin brothers Albert and Felix Christiadi Sutanto,
Hendrik Eko Andi Putra and Muhammad Akbar Nasution in the men's
squad. The women's team will field Ati Yuliati, Dyah Ayu Rahmani,
Elsa Manora Nasution, Meitri W. Pangestika, Nancy Surya Atmadja
and Siripiya Sutanto.
Lukman said Richard would be a threat for both Thailand and
Singapore. Richard, who has competed at the Games since 1987, had
planned to retire after the 1997 Games here, but apparently he
could not be kept from the water.
"He's 27 and very experienced. Other swimmers will feel down
to see him at the pool again," Lukman said with a smile.
Coach Gerald P. Item said juniors had improved during the
simulation with five personal bests recorded. Akbar improved in
the 100m and 200m breaststroke, Eko cut his time in the 100m and
200m freestyle and Ati also improved in the 100m and 200m
butterfly stroke.
Senior swimmers, including Wisnu and Albert, were almost
within reach of their personal bests.
The simulation was also attended by PRSI chairman Rahardi
Ramelan. Rahardi said he wanted the athletes to fight for a win,
but he declined to state a medal target.
Separately, diving coach, Harly Ramayani, said national divers
had improved their skills during their overseas stint in China.
"We competed in Wenzhou, China, and Hong Kong and I think they
have improved a lot, specially Shenny Ratna," she said.
In the 1997 Games, Shenny took a silver as the result of a
controversial judgment from an Indonesian referee, who dispensed
a low score to the athlete.
Harly said Thailand and Malaysia would be tough rivals at the
Games, adding that she was unaware of the current state of Thai
divers.
"We only met Malaysia in China because its drivers were also
preparing there. But Thailand withdrew from the competitions at
the last minute."
The last international competition attended by Indonesian
divers was the 1997 Games, she said. (yan)