RI clinches two golds in karate
RI clinches two golds in karate
The Jakarta Post, Hanoi,
The Indonesian karate team elevated its performance to win two
gold medals as the Vietnamese juggernauts continued to level the
competition, claiming five of eight possible golds at Gia Lam
Gymnasium on Sunday.
Hasan Basri defended his gold medal with a 1-0 victory over
Malaysian Lim Yoke Wai in the men's 65 kilogram individual
kumite, but the other two finalists ended up losing to their
Vietnamese opponents yet again. Hasan defeated Malaysian Kong Tai
Moon in Kuala Lumpur to claim the gold in the 2001 SEA Games.
Umar Syarif proved a Goliath, and pounded final opponent Jose
Mari of the Philippines in a 5-0 victory in the men's over-80 kg
category.
In the women's 60 kg, Puspa Meonk was beaten 0-1 by Ha Kieu
Trang of Vietnam, and Novilus Tedius Yoku was a 3-4 loser to Le
Hai Bang also from Vietnam in the men's 75 kg.
Three bronzes were collected through Christo Mondulu in the
men's 80 kg, I Nyoman Sumayasa in the men's individual kata and
Maya Putranti in the women's over-60 kg.
Sunday's performance was a relief for the national squad, as a
day earlier the karatekas ended their performances truly karate,
or empty-handed.
Even with the achievements, team manager Ahmad Boedoe rued the
wins that eluded the two other finalists.
"It's too bad that Yoku and Puspa were unlucky. They let up in
the final minutes that cost them the victories," he said.
Boedoe saw that the judging of the match between Yoku and Le
went against Indonesia, but was calm compared to Saturday when
Indonesia refused to continue a match due to a dissatisfactory
ruling in the men's kumite team contest.
"The referee vehemently ruled that Yoku scored a point in the
last three seconds, but he was up against two judges," he said.
Boedoe believes Indonesia has good prospects in four of the
five remaining karate class matches.
Vietnam took another five golds for a total cache of 11, while
the Philippines grabbed the remaining gold on the day.
Two years ago, Indonesia finished second overall with four
golds, six silvers and eight bronzes. Malaysia took the top slot
with nine golds, three silvers and six bronzes.