RI hoists most medals in weight lifting

By Christiani S.A. Tumelap

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia did not have things all its own way in the final two events of men's weight lifting yesterday, but teenage bronze medalist Joko Hanggono showed he may be a champion of the future.

Indonesia added a gold and a bronze for a tally of eight golds, five silvers and four bronzes, the most medals in the event. Close rival Thailand was second with five golds, seven silvers and four bronzes, followed by Myanmar with three golds, one silver and two bronzes.

Indonesia's coach Harry Wibowo said he was satisfied as the team met its target of six to eight golds.

"Of course, we would have liked more. Some lifters met their targets, some others did not. But, we're happy because we met our medal target with the eight golds, one more than we collected in Chiang Mai (the previous Games).

"We're more pleased because Indonesia came out of these games as the winner, beating our biggest rival Thailand."

Indonesia's Sunaryo won the 108 kg category after lifting 150.0 kg in the snatch and 192.5 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 342.5, all new Games records.

Thailand's Wawang Napodol triumphed in the 108 kg and above division after lifting 150.0 kg in the snatch, 190.0 kg in the clean and jerk and 340.0 kg in total.

Sunaryo, who weighs 100.95 kg, said he was happy but not completely satisfied with his performance.

"I was predicted to get the gold and I got it. I'm happy for it but I just wish I had lifted better. I should have lifted at least what I did in training," he said. Sunaryo has lifted 155.0 kg in the snatch and 195.0 kg in the clean and jerk in practice.

Napodol also set new Games records for his clean and jerk and total lifts. Philippine Alvin De Los Santos, who established a Games record with his snatch lift of 150.5 kg, was second, followed by Indonesia's Joko.

Joko, just 16, lifted 140.0 kg in the snatch and 190.0 kg in the clean and jerk for 330.0 in total. In the clean and jerk, he failed in two attempts at 202.5 kg in a bid to set a new SEA Games record.

Harry said Joko had lifted 207.5 kg in practice. He attributed the failure to inexperience.

Joko said he was not in top shape. "I was out of breath from the snatch life. I'm very sorry, but I promise to lift better next time."