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.