PABBSI names lifters for Athens

PABBSI names lifters for Athens

Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding
Association (PABBSI) revealed on Saturday the names of the seven
weightlifters who will take part in the 2004 Olympic Games in
Athens.

Indonesia was assured of seven entries -- four men and three
women -- at the Olympics after the men's team finished 18th and
the women's in 11th place at the World Weightlifting
Championships in Vancouver, Canada, in November 2003.

PABBSI deputy secretary-general Sonny Tobing said that the
men's squad comprised Sunarto, Gustar Yunianto (62-kilogram
division), Jadi Setiadi (56-kg) and Erwin Abdullah (69-kg).

The women are Padmawati (58-kg), Rosmainar (48-kg) and 2000
silver medalist Lisa Rumbewas (53-kg).

The seven lifters won their places in the Indonesian team
based on the results of two series of national qualifying matches
in Lampung and Jakarta in May.

Discussing Indonesia's medal target, Sonny said that PABBSI
was not specifying anything in particular, although he
acknowledged that the women might have a better chance.

"We hope that Lisa can win at least a medal in Athens although
the 53-kg division is new to her," He told The Jakarta Post here
on Saturday.

"She won her silver medal in Sydney when she was still in the
48-kg division," Sonny said.

According to Sonny, a medal might be expected from Lampung-
based Jadi Setiadi, given that the men's 56-kg division would not
see competition as tough as in the others.

He said that Chinese lifters would be almost invincible.

"We are sure the gold medals in both men's and women's will be
taken by Chinese lifters," he said.

"Therefore, Indonesia will be content to fight for second or
third place against rivals from Europe and America," he added.

The seven lifters are among Indonesia's 38 Olympic hopefuls in
13 sports.