JP/6/LAST

JP/6/LAST
RI bags two
silvers in
final battle

KUALA LUMPUR (JP): Indonesia had to be content with two
silvers and a bronze on the last day of the 2001 Southeast Asian
(SEA) Games, which saw six golds on offer in six events on
Monday.

The bronze was awarded to Indonesian riders who finished third
in the equestrian three-day event at the Selangor Turf Club
Equestrian Center with 352.80 points in total penalties. Thailand
dominated the field for the golds in both individual and team
events at the expense of the host riders.

The Thai team finished first with the least penalties of
260.00, upstaging the host riders who accrued 306.80 points in
penalties for the silver.

In the individual event, Thai riders produced a one-two
finish, relegating Malaysia to third place. Pongsiree Bunluewong
grabbed the gold medal with 64.00 points in total penalties
followed by compatriot Kietnarong Krongklan with 73.20 in total
penalties. Malaysia's Husref Malik was awarded the bronze medal
with 74.60 points in penalty.

Indonesian riders Tenny Palandeng and Anto Budiarto finished
fourth and fifth respectively.

Three other Indonesian riders fared even worse. Lukas Ibrahim,
Fesol Al-Bahri and Gutomo were placed ninth, 10th and 11th
respectively out of 12 participants.

The silver medals were secured by the Indonesian synchronized
divers and swimmers at the National Aquatic Center in the
National Sports Center, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur.

Divers Shenny Ratna Amelia and Herlyani Dias collected a total
of 237.06 points behind hosts Leong Mun Yee and Rostimah Muhamad
with 294.99 points in the women's 10-meter platform. Sukrutai
Tommaoros and Neeranuch Chantrakulcholt of Thailand trailer the
Indonesian divers by the thin margin of 230.73 points.

Unfortunately, Indonesian synchronized divers Husaini Noor
Ahmad and Sukran Jamjami failed to take any medals in the men's
3-meter springboard event finishing in the rear of the field of
five pairs with only 252.03 points.

Malaysian divers Rosharissham Roslan and Yeoh Ken Nee scored
311.07 points for the gold medal, ahead of Suchart Pichi and
Meerit Insawang of Thailand with 276.69 points and Filipinos
Zardo Domenios and Jaime Asok with 267.78 points.

Stay in synch

Malaysia also ruled the synchronized swimming duet event
through Suzana Ghazali Bujang and Sara Kamil Yusof, who collected
76.227 points. It was enough to deny Indonesian Tyas Titisari and
Merlin Anggreny of their gold medal hopes. The Indonesians
obtained 72.061 points.

Vietnam's Nguyen Nhu Thuy Duong and Le Thi Huyen Trang were a
distant third with 66.743.

"It's a great day for Malaysia. We are happy for this honor,"
said Sara Kamil after their win.

It was easy to see why the Malaysians received top points.
They managed to do what none of the other teams could - stay in
synch for the whole routine.

Suzanna said they chose music from the Cirque du Soleil and
their routine represented clowns and all the other elements of
the famed Canadian troupe. The pair spent nine months preparing
their gold-winning routine.

"The hardest part is keeping the energy up until the end of
the routine because it's jam packed," said Suzanna as quoted by
the Associated Press.

She said she was ecstatic about winning the gold and now has
her sights set on next year's Commonwealth Games. The biggest
competition there will come from the Canadians, Australians and
the British, she said.

With flashbacks to Esther Williams films, synchronized
swimmers wear glimmering, sequined swim suits and swim to music.
They are scored on their technical ability and their artistic
interpretation of the water dance. (nvn)