Judo body optimistic about Olympics chances
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Judo Association (PJSI) is optimistic that its two athletes' chances will net Olympic berths in the Asian Championships in Osaka, Japan, in May.
Coach Indriana told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that men's judoka Kresna Bayu, competing in the under 90-kilogram division, must finish in the top five at the championships to get the ticket.
Women's judoka Aprilia Marzuki, competing in the under 70-kg class, must finish in the top three to ensure an Olympic ticket.
"We are trying to qualify both Bayu and Lia (Aprilia's nickname) for the Olympics by preparing them for a one-month overseas stint in Japan," she said.
Bayu and Lia are scheduled to depart in mid-March for Japan before competing in the Asian Championships from May 25 to May 27.
"We won't separate Bayu and Lia as we did for the 1998 Asian Games, where Bayu trained in Japan and Lia was coached in South Korea. By putting them in the same city, we hope they can help each other to boost motivation and a spirit to fight," Indriana said, adding that the National Sports Council (KONI) had promised to provide the funding.
Indriana named eastern bloc countries, China and North Korea as tough contenders in the championships.
In the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok, Bayu lost on points to Xiao Degiang of China in the first round while Lia had to bow out to Olga Artamonova of Kyrgystan.
Indriana said Bayu needed a better sparring partner, whom he could not find in the Southeast Asia region.
"Bayu must practice overseas to look for comparable fighting partners. He's still the best in Southeast Asia and it's a waste if he is trained at home," she said.
"PJSI can provide a male partner for Lia at home but we think it would be good for her to also train overseas."
Bayu said he would rather train in France than Japan.
"If PJSI can afford it, I hope it will finance overseas training in France. But for now, Japan is OK," he said.
Bayu expressed optimism that he would be able to win the Olympic ticket.
"I have a great chance to win it. In the remaining time, I will strengthen my physical condition before warming up in Japan." (yan)