Karatekas buoyed by tryout

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After a difficult 2004, national karatekas are optimistic about their Southeast Asian Games chances after a confidence- boosting tryout against Malaysia on Saturday here.

"God willing we will reach the target of five gold medals after improving on our weaknesses and getting to know our strengths to get better scores," coach Agus Kusnadi said at Taman Mini in East Jakarta.

The men's karatekas won five of their seven contests.

Mohammad Umar Syarif, a 2003 Southeast Asian Games winner and the European Master Cup in August, beat Jarvis 5-3 in the 80kg category;, Bisma Yulian thrashed Kelvin 6-1 (75kg); Rizky Syahbana won 4-2 over Lim Yoke Wai (65kg); Donny Dharmawan triumphed 3-1 over Puvaneswaran (60kg) and Bambang Maulidin, who also won gold at the 2003 games, came through 4-1 against Kunasilan (55kg).

However, the host team's Christo Mondolu lost to Rayner with 2-4 and Ismail Aswar was outclassed 1-9 by Mahendran.

Three of the six national women's fighters -- Nurahmi K.S.(60kg), Jenny Zeannet (53kg), another Hanoi winner, and Puspita Triana Gustin (open class) -- also won.

The team, who won four golds in Hanoi, is expected to face tough opposition from Vietnam and the Malaysians in Cebu City in November.

"I'm ready and optimistic of bringing home one medal from the Southeast Asian Games," said Bambang, who added that he was recovered from the traumatic loss of his parents and two younger siblings in Banda Aceh in the Dec. 26 tsunami.

Malaysian coach P. Arivalagan remained upbeat after the tryout. "I'm sure we're going to achieve that," he said of the country's target of three golds.

Indonesian karatekas will compete in the Malaysia Open from Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. (004)