Irene wary of thigh injury

JAKARTA (JP): Less than 48 hours before the start of track and field competition at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here, Indonesian sprinter Irene Truitje Joseph said on Monday she had yet to fully overcome a recurring thigh injury.

Interviewed at the team's headquarters, Irene said that the injury, which she first sustained during competition in America back in 1997, had been haunting her over the past two weeks.

"It's coming back. It's been hurting for two weeks since my departure to Malaysia," she told Antara. To ease pain and regain normal movement her thigh is massaged every day.

"I feel a bit better now. It's not too disturbing," she said.

Irene, who is defending the 100m gold medal she won in Brunei, had been tipped as one of the favorites in the sprint event, but with the injury still plaguing her performance she could fall short of expectations.

Asked if the injury would impede her progress, Irene said she was confident that she would be fit enough in time for the race.

"Once I'm on the track, I don't worry about anything. What I have in mind is running to the finish. (What may happen) afterwards is a different matter," she said.

Apart from the 100m, Irene will compete in the 200m and 4x100m relay races. She conceded that competition would be stiffer than it was two years ago given the fact that runners in the region have shown nearly equal ability.

Irene is seeking to make amends for her failure in Brunei when she was defeated in the 200m.

"I want to win golds in both the 100m and 200m. I will be striving hard to the end. Say a prayer for me to make a perfect start," she said.

Irene is one of the team's best prospects in track and field. Indonesia's other hopefuls include 1998 Asian Games gold medalist Supriati Sutono, who will compete in the 1500, 5000, and 10,000 meters events, Nunung Jayadi and Ni Putu Desi in the pole vault, and Yurita Ariani in the hammer throw.

Yurita, a newcomer to the team, said she was well prepared for her SEA Games debut.

"This is my first SEA Games and I want to make the best of it," she said. The women's hammer throw has been included in the regional competition for the first time.

"I have to be optimistic of winning gold. Hopefully, I can do it," said 20-year-old Yurita, whose best mark of 50.39 meters was set at a national competition in Jakarta last year.

The track and field offers the biggest number of medals at the SEA Games, with 46 golds up for grabs. Host Malaysia and Thailand, currently the strongest powerhouses, are expected to renew their arch rivalry.

The competition runs from Wednesday through Saturday. (01)