Sony and Juana named athletes of the year
Sony and Juana named athletes of the year
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Shuttler Sony Dwi Kuncoro and tae kwon do athlete Juana Wangsa
Putri were named 2003 best male and female athletes of the year,
according to a poll by leading sports tabloid Bola.
The 16th award ceremony, which coincides with the tabloid's
20th anniversary, was staged at the Jakarta Playhouse (GKJ) here
on Friday night.
"I am happy and proud to win the award. Thank you to the
public and to those who have assisted me in my career. I hope
this award will motivate me in my future performance," Sony,
Asian Champion and 22nd SEA Games double gold medalist, said in
his speech.
The best coach award was presented to badminton coach Joko
Supriyanto, exactly 10 years after he grabbed the 1993 best
athlete award after becoming a world champion.
The award winners were based on choices by readers who voted
via post, facsimile, SMS and e-mail.
"The award is an annual tradition to motivate athletes and
coaches to perform even better. The event itself serves as a
medium for sports fans to become involved in judging athletes,"
said Bola director Ignatius Sunito.
Sunito said at least 15,000 votes had been received from
January through February.
Sony defeated other nominees such as boxer Chris Jhon, swimmer
Donny B. Utomo, cyclist Ferinanto and chess player Susanto
Megaranto.
Chris Jhon, who was recently awarded the World Boxing
Association (WBA) championship, took consolation in being named
favorite athlete of the year.
Juana, who has been assured of a berth in the Athens Olympics,
beat pole-vaulter Ni Putu Desi Margawaty, rower Pere Karoba,
archer Rina Dewi Puspita Sari, SEA Games double gold medalist in
cycling Santia Tri Kusuma and the diving pair of Shenny Ratna
Amelia/Helyani Dias Sukmahati.
Aspac Texmaco, which has won the National Basketball League
four times, was voted best team of the year.
Honors were also awarded to late sporting figures Kardono
(soccer) and Minarni Sudaryanto (badminton). Both were deemed to
have dedicated their lives to their respective sports.