RI sends 2 athletes to Asia c'ships

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Amateur Athletics Association is to send Supriyati Sutono and Tersiana to the Asia Athletics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, from July 19 to July 21.

The association's secretary-general, B. Chaidir, said yesterday that the championships will be used a tryout for both athletes ahead of the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.

"The reasons for sending them are because they have improved during the national training for the Asiad and based on their achievements in the Philippines Open last month," Chaidir said.

Supriyati, who won three golds at the SEA Games here last year, won golds in the Philippines in the 5,000 meters and 10,000m while Tersiana won the gold in the 10,000m walk.

"I'm not thinking about being sent to the Asiad. My intention is to improve my personal best," said Supriyati, who also broke three SEA Games records last year.

Supriyati, who is focusing her attention on the 5,000m, said she still had to improve considerably her personal best of 16 minutes and 11 seconds to get closer to the Asian record of 14 minutes and 59 seconds.

Chaidir said both athletes will also compete in a simulation here next month and the Singapore Open athletics championships from Sept. 4 to Sept. 6. (yan)