RI fencers go overseas for pre-Games matches

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men's and women's fencers are set to retain the overall medal honors at the 19th SEA Games, as they did two years ago in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

To achieve the goal, 20 Indonesian fencers will go to Hungary, Rumania and Italy for a series of trial matches to prepare for the Games.

Only the six best will take part in the Universiade in Sicily, Italy from Aug. 16 to Aug. 31.

"The country's fencers still have to test their skills before competing in 10 fencing events in the Games," said the Indonesian Fencing Association's chairman Widarsadipradja yesterday.

He had just reported the preparations to the National Sport Council's chairman, Wismoyo Arismunandar. They will leave for the trials on Aug.9.

"If the Indonesian fencers only won six golds, four silvers and four bronzes in Chiang Mai, they are now determined to sweep up all golds up for grabs," he said.

Indonesia's best performance was in the 16th SEA games in Manila when it won nine gold medals.

The men's foil team is Elvisar, Edy Suwarto, Zainudin and Andi Sukmawan. The women's foil team is Mutti Sukmiarini, Paulani Rattu, Murisnawati and Christian Martina.

In the men's epee events, Indonesia will field Hendrik Lensun, Badrul Anam, Perdian Triagi and Lukas Zakaria while in women's degen will be Sri Ayanti, Silvia A.K, Rini Ismalasari and Mutti Susiarini.

Two of the six players to go the Universiade are Paulani Ratu and Edy Suwarto who won gold at the Chiang Mai SEA Games.

The men's sabre team is Iwan Kartiwan, Luky Ramdhani, Fathollah and Wahyu Sophian.

The Indonesian fencing SEA Games teams are now being supervised by three Bulgarian coaches who replaced the retired Chinese coaches.

"We have the advantage of being able to combine Chinese and European styles to beat our rivals in the SEA Games," said Rini.

Athletes' village

The 42-story athletes' village is nearing completion and will be opened in September.

Joko. S Chandra, an executive of the Mulia Group which is building the village, said it would be ready by Sept. 2.

Six thousand workers and heavy equipment are employed to complete the project on time.

The company has also readied 3,200 new employees to manage the village's accommodation and supporting facilities, said Joko.

About 4,300 athletes, 700 officials and 900 referees from the 10 participating countries will be housed in the 2,000-room village that cost Rp 1 trillion (US$418 million). (03)