Oh upbeat taekwondo team can win medal

Oh upbeat taekwondo team can win medal

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

Indonesia's taekwondo athletes for the upcoming Olympics,
Juana Wangsa Putri and Satriyo Rahadani, stand a good chance of
winning a medal, says coach Oh Ill Nam.

Oh told The Jakarta Post after an afternoon practice session
at Bung Karno sports complex that both athletes were in good
condition after recently returning from two months in South
Korea.

He said that they only needed to sharpen their skills.

"Over the next few days we'll try to refine their kicking
technique so that it is perfect. We still have three weeks before
leaving for Athens on Aug. 17," Nam said.

Oh said that he had observed a number of taekwondo tournaments
in Asia and Europe over the last few months, in order to prepare
an efficient training program for his proteges.

"From what I have seen, I can say that I am not worried (about
their prospects) at all," he said.

Juana, who competes in the 49-kilogram division, grabbed a
gold medal at the Olympics qualification tournament at Stade
Piere de Coubertin in Paris, France, in December last year.

While optimistic about Juana's chances, Oh sees that Satriyo
potentially faces a tougher task. But said he would rate
Satriyo's prospects as equal with the others.

"It's a bit difficult in the men's category. There's not much
difference between the strength of one country and another -- so,
I can say that their performances are nearly equal," Nam said.

Satriyo secured his Olympic ticket through a Bangkok
qualifying field early this year where he won a silver in the 58-
kilogram division.

"I think strong rivalry will come from Spain, China, Thailand
and Chinese Taipei, but I think we will be prepared for them," Oh
said.

Juana and Satriyo are among 39 Indonesians who will compete in
14 sports in the Athens Olympics, which begins on Aug. 13.