More controversy hits gymnastics at Games

JAKARTA (JP): Judging was again a point of contention as gymnasts from Thailand and Indonesia shared gold in the men's individual all-around apparatus competition yesterday.

Amornthep Unchai of Thailand and Jonathan Mangiring Sianturi of Indonesia finished top equal with a score of 53.2. Sattra Suwansa of Thailand was third with 52.1.

The Indonesian contingent had questioned the starting value of Jonathan's routine in the high bar.

Thailand had also requested a review of the starting value of the routine by Aekaraj Chankroong's in the pommel horse.

"We asked them to recheck for our gymnast. The Indonesian coach had wanted Jonathan's score to be lifted up in the high bar," Quanchai Chaosuko, a Thai team manager, told The Jakarta Post.

The judges reviewed the videotape and Chankroon was eventually awarded fourth place.

Chaosuko said Thailand accepted the result out of goodwill.

Jonathan was surprised by the final result as he thought he had placed second.

"It's God's will. It is beyond my strength and capability," he told the Post.

This was the second shared gold in gymnastics. Malaysia and the Philippines had placed first in the women's team competition on Monday in a result also marred by questions over judging.

Controversy also plagued the women's all-around event yesterday. Au Li Yen of Malaysia won with a combined score of 34.375, beating Pia Adelle Reyes of the Philippines (34.00). Another Malaysian, Chang Siew Ting, was third (33.662).

"We've got a bonus today. (These medals) were beyond our target," said Malaysian team manager Zainureen bin M. Nor.

The Philippine team manager, MA Luisa Sugay, asked the judges to review Reyes' scores. She had no comment about the reason for her objection.

But the Philippines team coach, Lisa Pou, said deductions in Reyes' floor and balance beam scores seemed out of proportion with her mistakes.

Indonesia also questioned the judging in the women's event, saying judges had given low preliminary values for its most talented gymnast, Afrina Suryani Siahaan, who finished in fourth.

"We don't need the medal. But we would like to have the fair scores," said Indonesian team manager Andi Darussalam Tabusalla. (09)