South Kalimantan divers shine

JAKARTA (JP): No major upsets of record breaking feats were set during the opening day of the national diving championships, though South Kalimantan dominated the day.

The national diving powerhouse, fielding an eight-strong team, splashed to a wealthy medal collection of three gold medals, five silvers and a bronze to top the provisional standings of the four-day competition.

Diki Sulaeman, however, stole the thunder when he put North Sumatra in the second spot after his victories in two Age Group B events yesterday. Diki scored 274.65 in the 1-meter board and 291.90 in the springboard to give his team its only medals yesterday.

South Sumatra and Central Java won a gold apiece to finish third and fourth respectively. The Sumatra side has bettered its medal collection, thanks to its three bronzes.

It was Husaini Noor who starred in South Kalimantan's flying start. The national diver, who was called up to form the backbone of the Indonesian team for the 18th Southeast Asian Games in December, displayed his dazzling somersaults to win two golds.

Husaini earned his first gold in the Age Group A 1m board with a total of 490.65 points, far better than his teammate Gatot Taruna who made it 416.15. Husaini took his medal tally to two in the platform event, scoring 473.46 to eclipse Gatot who managed only 396.10.

Central Java's national team member Nani Suryani Wulansari triumphed in the only women's event competed yesterday, scoring 381.35 for the 1m board gold.

A total of 50 divers from eight provinces are taking part in the championships, which are also serving as the proving ground for the national SEA Games team.

The Indonesian Swimming Association has been grooming four women's and four men's athletes for the SEA Games diving competition in Chiang Mai, Thailand. (amd)