Local lifters beat their opponents for four golds
Local lifters beat their opponents for four golds
By Christiany Tumelap
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia muscled its way past main rivals
Thailand and the Philippines to pocket four gold medals in weight
lifting yesterday.
The Philippine team had to settle for two silvers and a
bronze, with Thailand bringing up the rear with a silver and
bronze.
Indonesia's four lifters -- Sri Indriyani, Winarni, Hari
Setiawan and Taufik -- also set seven SEA Games and junior world
records between them.
Sri Indriyani, competing in the women's 46 kg class, lifted
77.5 kg in the snatch and 98 kg in the clean and jerk,
establishing new Games and junior world records.
"I never thought I could break the records, because I was sure
that Sanga Wangakiree of Thailand would be standing in my way,"
said Indriyani, who lifted a total of 175 kg.
Sanga, the former Games' record-holder, reportedly missed the
event due to a problem in meeting the weight limit.
Indriyani broke the junior world record she set at the Junior
Weight Lifting World Championships in Cape Town in May.
Winarni won the 50 kg category with a total lift of 190 kg.
She cried for joy after breaking Games' records for the snatch
with 85 kg, and the clean and jerk with 105 kg.
It was also a case of what might have been, as Winarni did not
show up in time for her third attempt to lift 107.5 kg, a junior
world record.
According to team manager A.M. Sampurna, there was
miscommunication between team officials and event organizers.
"We are also disappointed, but the announcement for the third
attempt was not very clear," Sampurna said.
Winarni was also upset.
"Of course, I'm very disappointed. That was my chance to make
a new world record. If Indriyani can make a new world record,
then why couldn't I? But I just ran out of time."
Male lifters Hari and Taufik won golds in the 54 kg and 59 kg
respectively.
Hari lifted a total of 257.5 kg. He carved out a Games' record
in the snatch with 112.5 kg, but could not do the same in the
clean and jerk with his best lift of 145 kg.
Taufik, who lifted a total of 270 kg, broke Games' records in
both the snatch (120 kg) and the clean and jerk (150 kg).
Coach Hari Wibowo said he was happy for his lifters, but
believed they could achieve more.
"They did well. But we're not fully satisfied. Every athlete
must break at least one SEA Games record, that's our goal."
He said athletes should concentrate on their sport and let
coaches and team managers worry about other matters, including
the possibility of sponsor bonuses and gifts for records.
Lifters agreed their main task was to compete.
"Thoughts of bonuses don't cross my when I'm competing,"
Indriyani said. "If I make a lift, that is enough."
As a world record-breaker, she is eligible to receive a new
house and other rewards.