PRSI to hold simulation ahead of SEA Games

JAKARTA (JP): To allow the national swimmers to prepare to compete in the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Brunei Darussalam next month, the Indonesian Swimming Federation (PRSI) will hold a two-day simulation for its 13 swimmers.

PRSI's technical commission chief, Lukman Niode, said on Wednesday that the simulation would take place two weeks or 10 days before the whole contingent departs for Brunei on Aug. 3.

"We expect our swimmers to be able to adapt to the competitive situation by competing in the heats in the morning and in the finals in the evening. I think they won't have any problems with the climate in Bandar Seri Begawan," Lukman said.

Eight swimmers -- Wisnu Wardhana, twin brothers Felix and Albert C. Sutanto, M. Akbar Nasution, Hendrik Eko AP, Elsa Manora Nasution, Siripiya Sutanto and Ati Yuliani -- have just returned from a five-week training program in Brisbane, Australia, and now train at the Senayan swimming pool.

"The swimmers conditions are between 85 and 90 percent toward their peak performance in the SEA Games," said Lukman, a former national swimmer.

PRSI is still waiting for four other swimmers, veteran Richard Sam Bera, Steven Chandra, Nancy Surya Atmaja, and Dyah Ayu Rahmani to join the program.

Richard will compete in a three-day swimming competition in Arizona, USA, this weekend while Steven has to complete his practice sessions in Brisbane.

Nancy and Diah, who replace Catherine Surya and Rita Mariani, will arrive this weekend from Surabaya where they are being groomed in the Hiu club.

Lukman was optimistic that the swimmers could grab at least four golds and break records in the biennial Asian event. The biggest chances to win the golds will likely come from Richard in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle, Albert in the 200-meter butterfly, Elsa in the 100-meter and 200-meter backstroke and in the men's and women's relays.

Indonesia bagged 10 golds from the pool in the 1997 SEA Games here. They were from Richard (50-meter, 100-meter freestyle), Rita (100-meter, 200-meter breaststroke), Felix (200-meter individual medley), Catherine (100-meter, 200-meter butterfly stroke) the 4x100 meter women's relay, the 4x100 meter men's relay and the 4x100 meter women's medley relay.(ivy)