One-two finish for Riri and Dewi in vault
One-two finish for Riri and Dewi in vault
The Jakarta Post Jakarta
Adelina "Riri" Wulandari and Dewi Prahara are accustomed to vying against each other for first place.
At the 2004 National Games in Palembang, then 16-year-old Riri edged Dewi, 18, for the gold in the individual vault competition.
She did it again on Thursday at Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, upsetting the favored gymnasts from Vietnam, Singapore and the host nation for the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games vault gold with a score of 8.750.
Right behind her was Dewi, who received a mark of 8.675 and Kristine Raissa Saguisag of the Philippines (8.650).
The two medals brought the total for the national women's artistic gymnastics' squad to three after Dewi won bronze in the women's all-around competition on Wednesday.
"I never thought I could take the gold medal," the West Sumatran was quoted as saying by Antara news service after she was awarded her medal.
The second-year student of Ragunan Sports Academy in South Jakarta came home empty handed from the last SEA Games in Vietnam two years ago.
Riri and Dewi were part of a group of seven artistic gymnasts who underwent an eight-month training stint in Rumania that ended last month.
"The improvement in their performance has been extraordinary," said coach Yosi Rusnandi. "To tell you the truth, we didn't think she could get the gold."
But her golden day ended on an unfortunate note. During her floor routine, Riri suffered a knee injury. She had to be carried out of the stadium to receive medical assistance.
There was better news in the evening session when male gymnast M. Aldilla Akbar was awarded gold in the men's floor exercise. He tied with 8.450 points with Malaysian Shu Wai Ng and Roal Ramirez of the Philippines.
"The organizers and judges decided that all three should be awarded gold after Malaysia, the Philippines and us refused to given in," national team manager Sudjihadi Reksowiredjo said.
"It's no longer dual champion, but triple champs," he said with a smile.;