Japanese rhythmic gymnasts to hold exhibition here

JAKARTA (JP): Japan is sending a team of rhythmic gymnasts to Indonesia for a two-day exhibition beginning Dec. 6, it was announced yesterday.

Kazumi Inami, assistant director of the Japan Foundation, said the gymnasts would include 14 men and women, all seniors, and nine coaches.

"Apart from the exhibition, there will also be a clinic for Indonesian coaches and gymnasts," Inami said.

The exhibition is being organized by the Japan Foundation in cooperation with the Indonesian Gymnastics Association (Persani).

Inami said Japan is the second most powerful nation in rhythmic gymnastics after China. The visit of the Japanese gymnasts to Indonesia is part of their current Southeast Asian tour.

"Besides improving ties between Indonesia and Japan through sports, we want to introduce Japanese rhythmic gymnastics to the public," Inami said.

Tickets for the exhibition, to be held at Gedung Senam Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, can be obtained at the Japan Foundation or at the building itself.

SEA Games

Meanwhile, Frederik Huma, head of Persani's technical committee, said Tuesday Indonesia will rely on Jonathan Sianturi to capture a gymnastics gold medal in the 19th SEA Games in Jakarta, due to take place here from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19, 1997.

Jonathan grabbed two gold medals in the pommel horse and ring events at the 18th SEA Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Frederik said it was impossible to target how many gold medals will be won by local gymnasts in the Jakarta Games. He was optimistic, however, that Jonathan will gain two gold medals in his two specialties.

Frederik added that for the Jakarta Games, Persani has already started informal training for its athletes. "We have 26 gymnasts taking part in the training. From the 26 athletes, 15 will be selected for the Games."

The 26 gymnasts consist of eight men and 10 women in regular gymnastics and eight women in the rhythmic events.

Frederik said the gymnastics competition at the SEA Games will offer 16 gold medals. He said Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines would be Indonesia's strongest contenders, Antara reported yesterday.

Frederik said two Russian coaches, Kouznetsov Iouri and Irina Voino, are training the Indonesian gymnasts. Iouri trains the women's artistic and Irina for the women's rhythmic.

Persani, said Frederik, is negotiating with the Russian gymnastic federation to send a coach for the men's team.

He also said Indonesia will send 10 men and women gymnasts to the Southeast Asia Junior Gymnastic Tournament (Seacon III) in Manila from Dec. 12 to Dec. 18.

In the last two tournaments (Seacon I and II), Indonesia has come out as the runner-up with Thailand as the winner in both the 1993 Seacon I in Bangkok and in the 1995 Seacon II in Jakarta.

Nine of the ten gymnasts that will represent Indonesia have already been selected. (lnt)