Soldier wins swimming contest

JP/afs

LAMPUNG (JP): Tajuri, a soldier of Marine Corps' Brigade Infantry II, (photo left) splashed his way to victory in the sixth Sunda Channel's Swimming and Rubber Boat Rowing Championships yesterday.

It took Tajuri eight hours and 47 minutes to cross the 18-sea- mile course spanning between Bakauheni Port, Lampung and Suralaya Beach, Merak, West Java. He won Rp 1 million (US$424) in cash, plus a color television set.

Marine Corps Chief Maj. Gen. Suharto opened the event, which was held by the Indonesian Navy in commemoration of Indonesia's 51st Independence Day and Marine Year.

Catherine Kalalu, a member of the administrative staff at the Palembang Water Police, won the women's division in nine hours and four minutes. She also won Rp 1 million in cash.

The rowing competition was won by the Jakarta's Infantry Brigade 2 at the Marine Corps' Infantry Battalion 6 in three hours and 37 minutes for the same route. (afs/yan)