Karatekas buoyed by tryout

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)