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.