RI sends 2 athletes to Asia c'ships

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)