RI denied gold medal in men's beach volleyball
RI denied gold medal in men's beach volleyball
Novan Iman Santosa
The Jakarta Post
Busan, South Korea
Indonesia's dream to get its first gold medal at the Busan 2002
Asian Games was shattered when its men's beach volleyball team
lost to Japan on Haeundae beach on Friday.
Agus Salim (left, attempting a block) and Koko Prasetyo
Darkuncoro of Indonesia 1 were defeated by the Japanese pair of
Tatsuhiro Shiratori (right) and Satoshi Watanabe 29-27, 21-17.
Meanwhile, Indonesia 2 with Andi Ardiansyah and Supriadi
failed to capitalize on a chance for a medal when they were
defeated 14-21, 20-22 by China 1's Li Hua and Zhao Chicheng in
the bronze medal match.
"I am disappointed with the result but the Japanese team was
better than us," Agus said after the award ceremony.
Agus and Koko were visibly upset after most observers saw this
as a real opportunity for Indonesian gold, but they also were
upset at the sports authorities in their homeland who they felt
had not supported them or the development of the sport as much as
other countries had, particularly Japan.
This is the third straight Asiad that Indonesia has lost in
the finals of beach volleyball, despite being one of the first
Asian countries to play the sport.
Separately at the Geumjong Tennis Stadium, Indonesia's top
seeded women's team was assured of at least another silver medal,
cruising to the finals after beating host and 3rd seed South
Korea 3-0, partly due to an injury suffered by Jeon Mi-ra while
facing Wynne Adiati Prakusya in the first singles.
Wynne was beaten 4-6 in the first set before taking the second
6-2.
Wynne got a break in the third when Jeon pulled out of the
match suffering from leg cramps despite leading 4-3 in the
deciding set.
Coming from behind, Angelique "Angie" Widjaja added another
point for Indonesia after defeating Cho Yoon Jeong 1-6, 6-3, 7-5
for a 2-0 team lead in the second singles.
Wynne and Angie then teamed up in the doubles to take the
third point. The Indonesian girls lost the first set 3-6 before
winning 7-6 (6-2), 6-1.
In Saturday's semifinals, Indonesia's women will face Japan,
who defeated Chinese Taipei 2-0 in their semifinal match.
The Indonesian men's team, earned a ticket to the semifinals
after defeating Chinese Taipei 2-1 in their quarterfinals match.
In Saturday's semifinals, Indonesia will face hosts South Korea
who defeated China 2-1. -- More stories on Page 12