Irene contributes more golds for riot-torn Maluku

Irene contributes more golds for riot-torn Maluku

By Ivy Susanti

SURABAYA (JP): Winning three gold medals at the 15th National
Games (PON) does not only mean fame and riches for national
women's sprinter Irene Truitje Joseph of Maluku but also a proof
of her patriotism.

After a successful victory in the 200m dash on Tuesday, Irene,
an Olympic Games qualifier, grabbed the last two golds in the
100m and 400m dash events on Wednesday at the Delta stadium in
Sidoarjo, some 20 kilometers south of here.

Host East Java virtually ensured taking the overall champion's
title after collecting 122 golds, 95 silvers and 103 bronzes.
Defending champion Jakarta has only a slight chance to take the
top position after winning only 104 golds, 73 silvers and 82
bronzes. While West Java remained in third place with 70 golds,
83 silvers and 92 bronzes.

Irene, the 1999 Southeast Asian gold medalist, clocked 11.73
seconds in the 100m event not only to grabbing the gold but also
breaking the 15-year-old PON record of 11.76 set by Henny
Maspaitella in the 1985 PON in Jakarta.

In the 400m event, Irene finished first in 56.54.

"I thank God as I managed to fulfill the target of winning
three golds set by the Maluku administration. I hope Maluku,
which is in trouble, can smile seeing my achievement. This is the
best I can contribute to my home soil," she said.

Sih Hernawati of Central Java was second in the 100m dash,
clocking 11.84 followed by Rabaiya of South Sulawesi with 12.15.

In the 400m event, Raquel Pireira of West Java clocked 57.64
to win silver and Yatin Saputro of Central Java finished third in
57.95.

When asked about the bonuses, Irene said: "I don't run for
bonuses. I know what is happening in Ambon."

Speaking on her chances at the Olympics, Irene said: "I won't
promise anything in the Olympics. I'm only 18 and still young. I
want to gain experience for my career. Hopefully, I can be the
best sprinter in Asia."

Women's long-distance runner Supriati Sutono of West Java
earned two golds in less than one hour.

She clocked four minutes 26.66 in the 1,500m to beat the old
PON record of 4:34.37 set by Supriyati of Jambi in 1996. Ester
Sumah of East Java was second with the time of 4:30.17 while
Oliva Sadi of East Nusa Tenggara finished third in 4:30.30.

Shortly after the event, Supriati ran in the 10 kms final and
managed to finish first in 37 minutes 56.37. Triasih Handayani of
Central Java won silver with the time of 38:03.72 and her
teammate, Ruwiyati, was third after clocking 38:09.83.

However, Supriati's record was far from Olympic qualifying
time. She said she would try another pre-qualifying event
overseas as she was informed that the Asian Track and Field
Championships, scheduled at the Senayan Madya stadium in Jakarta
in August, will be delayed until after the Olympics.

In the men's 200m event, John Murray of Irian Jaya surpassed
teammate Yanes Raubaba to claim the gold. John clocked 21.21
followed closely by Yanis with 21.25. Next was Erwin Heru Susanto
of East Java who clocked 21.60.

From the tennis court, Angelique Wijaya contributed a gold to
West Java, defeating Frederika Girsang of Jakarta 6-2, 3-6, 6-2
in the women's final on Wednesday. Mimma Chernovita and Romana
Tedjakusuma, both from East Java, shared the bronze medal.

Women's doubles pair of Wukirasih Sawondari and Irawati Moerid
Iskandar of Jakarta won by walk-over because Angelique had to fly
to London to compete in the women's singles junior event at
Wimbledon.

Angelique and her partner, Liza Andriyani, won silver while
Lianasari and Agustina Wibisono of Bengkulu and Mimma and Natalia
Sutrisno of East Java shared the bronze.

Medal Tally (as of 9:30 p.m.)
Provinces Gold Silver Bronze
East Java 122 95 103
Jakarta 104 73 82
West Java 70 83 92
Central Java 38 55 59
Lampung 20 22 25
Jambi 17 9 12
Papua 14 17 21
North Sumatra 12 10 16
East Kalimantan 12 8 16
South Sulawesi 11 12 18
Bali 10 10 14
South Kalimantan 10 8 8
North Sulawesi 9 13 17
Southeast Sulawesi 8 4 11
South Sumatra 7 14 15
Yogyakarta 6 12 22
Maluku 6 3 6
Riau 5 9 13
West Kalimantan 4 8 7
Central Kalimantan 3 10 17
East Nusa Tenggara 3 4 8
West Nusa Tenggara 2 3 2
Central Sulawesi 2 1 2
Bengkulu 1 3 4
Aceh 1 1 13
West Sumatra - 4 4
Total 497 491 607