Karatekas set modest target in Sydney trip

Karatekas set modest target in Sydney trip

JAKARTA (JP): The national karate team has set a modest target
of winning two golds in the Australian Open Championship in
Sydney, its first outing ahead of the 13th Asian Games in
December.

Head of the contingent Brig. Gen. Albert Paruntu, speaking
after meeting with chairman of the National Sports Council
Wismoyo Arismunandar, said Indonesia would rely heavily on female
karatekas Omita Olga Ompi, Nurossi Nurasjati and Meyti Kaseger to
win gold for it in the tournament, to be held on April 25 and
April 26.

Omita, an Asian Games silver medalist in 1994, will compete in
kata martial arts performance, Nurossi in the 50kg division bout
and Meyti in the 60kg class fight. All three won golds in the
recent KASAD (Army Chief of Staff) Cup.

"It's sad that we only are only aiming to win two golds,
because a karate tournament always has at least 12 medals on
offer," Albert said.

The national karate team will comprise 19 men's and women's
karatekas, but Albert did not expect most team members to shine.

He declined to identify by name those with little chance of
doing well.

"We are concerned by this problem, and each of us must work
hard to groom young karatekas and plan the best training program
for them," he said.

The federation's general secretary, Hendardji, said the
Indonesian Karate Federation would use the Australian Open to
select eight karatekas for the Asian Games in Bangkok.

"We believe they will not waste the opportunity but instead
will perform their best to win a place in the national Asian
Games karate team," said Hendardji.

The 19-strong squad will depart tomorrow.

Hendardji said the eight karatekas selected would undergo
intensive training for the Asiad.

They will compete in the World Karate Championships in Brazil
next October as the final tune-up for the Asian Games, he added.
(emf)