RI warms-up beach volleyball teams

JAKARTA (JP): West Nusa Tenggara women's pairing of Tri Siwi and Heny D.Z. took the laurels in the National Beach Volleyball championships yesterday, but it was the country's top teams which stole the show.

Siwi and Heny lost 9-15 to their National Team 2 opponents Fransina Unepputy and Agustina Sineri in a match that drew relentless applause from the 100-strong crowd that braved the scorching heat to watch the game.

The unheralded duo earned the title because the top national teams, who used the event to warm up for the 13th Asian Games in December, were entered as non-competitors.

Nemah and Renny earned the silver medal after beating Jakarta Team 1 15-4.

The East Java team of Arif Irawan and Supriadi won the men's event with a crushing 12-5, 12-4 defeat of the Central Sulawesi duo of Derry and Janus.

The crowd were also given an exhibition match starring Indonesia's beach volleyball elite.

The country's best pairing of Olympian Engel Berta Kaize and new partner Risma lost 8-12, 12-3, 6-12 to Elizabeth and Beatrix Renyaan who are placed third in the national women's rankings.

On the men's side, Irilkhun Sofana and Agus Salim lived up to their top billing as they came from behind to outlast their second ranked opponents Iwan Sumoyo and Anjasmara 4-12, 12-2, 13- 11.

The Indonesian Volleyball Association's executive director, Rita Subowo, said yesterday that the championships were the last warm-up for the men's team before they left for the World Championship in Turkey in September and the women's team which has entered the Asian Series in Korea at the same time.

Rita looked undisturbed to see the best women's pair lose.

"Berta used to partner Ni Putu Timmy Yudani, who retired after getting married in May. We hope that her replacement, Risma, will improve," she said, adding that Timmy would remain first-choice due to her international experience.

Rita said she would let Timmy rejoin her Olympic partner Berta for the 2000 Olympics.

"They still rank among the world's best players. I hope Timmy can come back soon," Rita said, adding that she has yet to contact Timmy about her future plans.

Rita was optimistic Indonesia would have a say in the Asiad beach volleyball competition and said China and Japan would be its toughest rivals. (yan)