RI to host SE Asian gymnastics c'ship

RI to host SE Asian gymnastics c'ship

JAKARTA (JP): Some 80 Southeast Asian gymnasts will compete in artistic and rhythmic events at the Senayan Volleyball Hall between April 1 and 7.

Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar and defending champion Thailand will send their best teenage gymnasts, aged between 12 and 18, to the second Southeast Asian Gymnastics Confederation Championships.

"This meet is a tryout for the Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand," Andi Darusalam Tabusalla, chairman of the organizing committee, said on Tuesday. He believes all participating countries will send their best athletes.

Andi said Indonesia will field gymnasts being groomed for the Games, including Novi Kartikasari who was selected as the best female gymnast at the first championships in Bangkok two years ago.

In the artistic gymnastics, Andi said, he was optimistic Indonesia would challenge Thailand, but he has set the modest target of finishing third in each rhythmic gymnastic event.

Only four countries participated in the Bangkok championship. Indonesia placed second with three gold, two silver and ten bronze medals.

A total of 17 gold medals will be up for grabs at the Jakarta meet. Seven are in men's individual artistic gymnastics for pommel horse, rings, floor exercises, horizontal bars, vault, parallel bars and all-around individual.

The women's competition will feature 10 events broken into two categories.

The first, artistic category, includes the uneven bars, floor exercises, beam, vault and all-around individual.

The other is the rhythmic exercises which includes skipping rope, balls, Indian clubs, scarves and a combined event. (arf)