National gymnasts to compete in Seoul
JAKARTA (JP): Eleven Indonesian gymnasts will compete in the KBS Cup in Seoul, South Korea, early next month in preparation for the 19th Southeast Asian Games here in October.
The Indonesian Gymnastic Association's secretary-general, Sri Hastuti Merdiko, said yesterday the athletes needed more competition experience after female gymnasts performed poorly at last month's Arafura Games.
"They all never make mistakes during training and warm ups. But when it comes to competition, which is only five minutes after warming up, they always make mistakes. It's because they are very nervous in competitions," Hastuti said.
"This will be a tryout for our athletes and one of our programs to select the best gymnasts among them," she said.
Jonathan Mangiring Sianturi, Khaerudin Pasaribu, Harun Fauzi Rangkuti and Zahari will compete in the men's competition from July 1 to July 4.
Sherly Novitasari, Helda Sulistina, Nurfiana Akhmadi and Eliningsih will compete at the women's event, while Neli Astuti, Oh Ze Ching and Jumaiyah will compete in rhythmic gymnastics.
The competition will be divided into three divisions: middle school, high school and college classes.
Jonathan said he would try to improve on his training performances.
"Of course I want to win, but the most important thing is to get competing. It's our first competition this year," he said.
Jonathan said he had to adapt to the International Gymnastic Federation's (FIG) new regulation, which gives a basic score of 8.6 to gymnasts.
"It means we have to get more bonuses to reach 10 points and that is more difficult," he said.
Jonathan will fly to Moscow on July 17 to join four other national gymnasts at the Dynamo club.
He will then compete at the Universiade (Students' Games) in Sicily, Italy, in August.
Novi Kartianasari, Afrina Siahaan, Lulu Manurung and Sepri Haryadi are training at the Dynamo, accompanied by assistant coach Hesti Diwayanti.
They will compete in an interclub competition in Moscow on July 5.
"In Moscow, our athletes have a fortnightly simulation in which they have to adapt to a competition environment. They are judged as in a real competition and from their results they know they have to work harder to perform their movements perfectly," Hastuti said.
She quoted former FIG president Youri Titov as saying that three Olympic medalists would join the club this week. She did not say who they were.
Two rhythmic gymnasts - Winisari and Yulianti - who are training at the Levsky club in Sofia, Bulgaria, will compete in a European competition in Sofia on July 5. (yan)