Indonesia's women take three karate gold medals

Indonesia's women take three karate gold medals

By Sylvia Gratia Miranda

JAKARTA (JP): It was a golden day for Indonesia's female
karate squad as they took top honors in three out of four women's
events, one more than closest rival Vietnam.

In the two men's events, the hosts squared off in a two-team
race with Malaysia in the 55 kg and below, and 60 kg and below.

In the women's individual kumite 53 kg and below, Sandra
Aryani of Indonesia grabbed the gold by beating Lea Rodriguez of
the Philippines in a tough battle. Bronzes went to Dang Hong Nung
of Vietnam and Norsita Haji Umar of Malaysia.

Vietnamese karateka Pham Hong Ha beat Ng Chai Lin of Malaysia
to win the gold in women's individual kumite, 48 kg and below.
Indonesia's hope Nurosi N. shared the bronzes with Thin Thin Thu
Zar of Myanmar.

Vietnam's second gold came in the women's individual kumite,
60 kg and above, through Tham Pham Hong, who beat compatriot
Hakieu Trang. Bronzes went to the Philippines' Therese Nable and
Indonesia's Meity J. Kaseger.

Indonesian Nilawati Daud beat Malaysian Premila Subramaniam in
the women's individual kumite, 60 kg and below. Compatriot
Lusyana Taroreh and Ni Ni Cho of Myanmar took the bronzes.

As on Thursday's opening day of karate, Indonesia and Malaysia
were out in front amid a swirl of allegations about biased
judging in favor of the home team.

Malaysian protests did not abate in Friday's competition.

An assistant Malaysian coach, Thi Ponanya, said there had been
no improvement in the judging despite the objections of Malaysia
and the Philippines.

The two countries had reportedly protested what they
considered poor judging by the Japanese member of the panel.

The vice president of Malaysia Karate-do, Mohd. Noor Nordin,
had termed the judging "controversial" and said his team was
"saddened" by the performance of the judges and referees.

Malaysia grabbed a gold in the men's individual kumite, 55 kg
and below, after Murali Tharan C. beat Walter Gozum of the
Philippines. Indonesia's Isfan R. Tanjung and Pei Yan Shue of
Singapore took the bronzes.

Indonesia captured its third gold after Arief Taufan beat
Mawlid Zaeni Asjhad Zaeni of Malaysia, despite protests lodged by
the latter's camp.

Mawlid's compatriot Puvaneswaran R. and Mahali Zumarali of
Brunei shared the bronze.