Karateka Hasan gives RI third gold

Indonesian athletes contributed one gold medal, one silver medal and two bronze medals on the 14th day of the Busan 2002 Asian Games on Saturday, which means it is likely that the National Sports Council (KONI) will fail to achieve its own target of six golds.

The Indonesian contingent also failed to fulfill President Megawati Soekarnoputri's request to bring home 15 golds.

Indonesia's gold medal was won by karateka Muhammad Hasan Basri, who won the men's under-65-kilogram weightclass division. He defeated Iranian world champion Mehdi Ahmouzadeh 3-1 in their final match.

"I had this confidence that I could enter the final stage. But everything was decided on the mattress. I must credit my coaches for guiding me during the matches," Hasan told reporters at the Media Press Center (MPC) in the Busan Expo and Convention Center (BEXCO).

Another karateka, Bambang Maulidin, won the bronze in the men's under-55-kg weightclass division. He defeated Amrit Adhikari of Nepal 3-0 in the repechage round.

KONI has vowed to provide a Rp 250 million (US$27,700) bonus for gold medalists, Rp 150 million for silver medalists and Rp 50 million for bronze medalists.

Both Hasan and Bambang said they would donate their bonuses to charity.

"I will also use the bonus to finance my parents' pilgrimage to Mecca," said Bambang, while holding back his tears.

Team manager Tono Soe'oed said that at least the Indonesian team had managed to defend the gold medal earned in the Bangkok 1998 Asiad. The Indonesian karatekas won another two silvers and three bronzes in Bangkok from eight events. -- JP