South Kalimantan divers shine

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)