National gymnasts to compete in Seoul
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)