Irene wary of thigh injury

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)