John, Deysi win 100m races
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Palembang
Deysi Sumigar and John Murray are Indonesia's fastest woman and man respectively, winning the 100-meter races at the National Games here on Thursday.
John Murray clocked a time of 10.87 seconds to win gold for Papua in the men's 100 meters. He beat Sukari and Erwin Heru of East Java, who finished with times of 10.82 seconds and 10.83 seconds, respectively.
The women's race was a much tighter affair, with very little between Deysi of North Sulawesi and Supiaty of West Nusa Tenggara.
Both runners looked to cross the finish line simultaneously, leaving the spectators unsure as to who won. Deysi herself was unsure about the result.
"I don't know whether I won or lost. Let's wait," Deysy said right after the race.
Some 20 minutes later, 21-year-old Deysi was declared the winner.
She finished in a time of 11.93 seconds, edging out Supiaty with a time of 11.96 seconds. Joseph Irene Truitje of Jakarta, the holder of the national record of 11.56 seconds and the National Games record of 11.73 seconds, finished a disappointing third with 12.09 seconds
"This is a gift from Jesus. I just tried to do my best. I was simply keen on improving on my personal best," Deysi said.
Although she failed to improve on her best of 11.92, Deysi said she was excited to have defeated Irene.
"The 100-meter event is prestigious. Therefore, winning the race gives me particular delight," she said, adding that she would now prepare for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
"What else can you do after winning the national event," she said. "I am quite sure that I can improve on my time and win gold at the Sea Games."
In the women's 400-meter dash, Harlince Tatogo of Papua came in first in a time of 55.99 seconds, followed by Suyatmi of South Sumatra with 57.02 seconds, and Joseph Irene Pireara of Jakarta in a time of 57.05 seconds.
In the women's hammer throw, Nia Meilani of West Java broke the National Games record of 45.86 meters held by Yurita Ariani of Jakarta, chalking up a throw of 49.68 meters to win the gold.
Yurita had to settle for silver with a throw of 48.93 meters, with Rose Herlinada of Jakarta in third with 48.76 meters.
In the women's 100-meter hurdles, Dedeh Herawati of Jakarta shattered her own National Games record with a time of 13.87 seconds. Her previous mark was 14.08 seconds, which she set in 2000.
Martini Kustiah of West Java finished in second in 14.27 seconds, while Maryati of West Nusa Tenggara came in third with 14.42 seconds.
In the men's 400 meters, Achmad Sakeh of Jakarta finished first in a time of 46.72 seconds, lowering the previous National Games mark of 47.31 seconds.
Yan Karubaba of Papua won the silver in a time of 47.24 seconds and One Simus Windesy of Papua brought home the bronze in 47.93 seconds.