RI archers compete in German GP
RI archers compete in German GP
Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta
Three Indonesians are going to take part in the International
Archery Grand Prix in Germany from June 16 to June 20 as part of
preparations for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
Kuswantoro, Lockonecko and Rina Dewi Puspitasari will compete
in the 70-meter Olympic-round category in the grand prix, along
with world archers from other 34 countries, according to an
official from the Indonesian Archery Association (Perpani). The
final will be held in Turkey in July.
For Perpani, results in the field will determine whether
Kuswantoro or Lockonecko is eligible to accompany Olympics-bound
Rina, who secured her ticket in last year's Asian Championships
in Myanmar.
Permadi Sandra also qualified after the championships but
Perpani has decided to drop him on the grounds that he has since
performed below par.
National team coach Donald Pandiangan said on Wednesday that
with many world-class archers participating in the tournament, it
would be a good opportunity for the Indonesian hopefuls to test
their skills ahead of the Olympics.
Lockonecko's best score is currently 333 points, compared with
Kuswantoro's 330, while their female compatriot, Rina, has
chalked up a personal best of 337.
Donald hoped his archers would reach a score of around 340 to
be competitive in Athens.
While refusing to divulge any specific target for the team's
participation in Germany, Donald hoped his archers could make it
to the semifinals.
Apart from the International Grand Prix, Perpani will also
send five junior archers to the Asian Grand Prix in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, on the same date.
While Perpani is monitoring closely Lockonecko and Kuswantoro,
it might be able to take both to Athens if hopes for another
place materialize.
Chief de mission of the Indonesian Olympic Games team Indra
Kartasasmita said earlier that Indonesia had a chance to add
another archer to the list on the basis of the "continental
standby" rule from the International Archery Federation.