Runner draws energy from sucking blood

Runner draws energy from sucking blood

SALATIGA, Central Java (Antara): An Indonesian female marathon gold medalist sucks blood from her coach every time she reaches the finishing line.

Ruwiyati, a gold medalist in the recent 19th Southeast Asian Games held in Jakarta and who works at the state-run railway company, Perumka, said here Tuesday: "I don't know why, but as soon as I reach the finishing line and suck my coach's blood from one of his fingers, I feel refreshed."

Last Sunday (Oct. 26), Ruwiyati once again grabbed first place in the 10 km Surabaya Off Road Marathon.

"This is the road to the Mobil Marathon '97 that will be held in Singapore in December," she said.

Alwi Mugiyanto, Ruwiyati's coach, commenting on the athlete's habit of sucking his blood, said, "I also don't know why, but she insists on doing it."

He said Ruwiyati has been doing it for several years since she joined the club under his guidance because she strongly believed she got energized from the practice.