RI eyes beach volleyball, yachting medals

RI eyes beach volleyball, yachting medals

BANGKOK (JP): Indonesia is eying a bronze medal from its men's
beach volleyball team and a silver plus a bronze from its
windsurfers at the 13th Asian Games, which will start on Dec. 6.

The national beach volleyball team manager, Ahmed Solihin,
said on Saturday that the duo of Agus Salim and Irilkhun Shofanna
could finish at least third if they manage to maintain the fine
form that helped them win two warm-up tournaments in Australia in
October.

"The victories have boosted their confidence to win a medal,
and I believe they have a great chance to make it," Ahmed said.

Agus and Irilkhun won the Dirty Dog tournament in Brisbane and
another one in the Gold Coast during their Australian outing
prior to their trip here.

Along with the ace pair, Indonesia will have a tandem of Anjas
Asmara and Iwan Sumoyo on show in the men's beach volleyball.

But Ahmed was less upbeat on his women's team, due to the
absence of Olympian Ni Putu Timmy Yudani, who retired earlier
this year. Timmy had formed a formidable partnership with
Engelbertha Kaize, ending the 1997 season at 13th in world
rankings.

The Indonesian Volleyball Association picked Siti Nurjanah as
Timmy's replacement, but Ahmed said her teamwork with Engelbertha
lacked international tests. The new pair did not compete in the
world Grand Prix series this season.

Ahmed rated Japan and China the chief opponents of his team
but expected no serious challenges from former Soviet countries.

"In its latest world rankings, the international beach
volleyball body put Japan and China above the rest of the Asian
countries," he said.

"Teams from former Soviet countries may have prepared
themselves but they have never competed in international
competitions. We are blind about their strength," he added.

Beach volleyball competition will take place from Dec. 16 to
Dec. 18 on sand courts at Bangkok's Hua Mark sports complex.

Separately, the Indonesian Yachting and Windsurfing
Association's secretary-general Aji Sularso predicted that
mistral race board specialist Oka Sulaksana and race board heavy
hopeful Abdul Malik Faisal would lift Indonesia a silver and a
bronze respectively.

"They performed consistently the most during the national
training stint at Ancol beach, North Jakarta," Aji said. "Oka
only lost to his Chinese rival and favorite at the China Open,
which also served as a warm-up for the Asiad."

Indonesia has hired Australian coach Chris Lawrence in its bid
to win medals in yachting at the Games, which will run from Dec.
8 to Dec. 13 at the Ao-Dongtarn and Jomtien Beach, Chon Buri
province, southeast of Bangkok. (yan)