Southeast Sulawesi rules the waves

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan

Southeast Sulawesi won another gold medal at the National Rowing Championships in Toba Lake, North Sumatra on Thursday to stamp its authority in the sport.

The victory by national team regular Lasmin in the 2,000-meter men's individual rowing pulled Southeast Sulawesi well clear on top of the medals standings with 11 golds, two silvers and three bronzes.

With just one day remaining, Central Kalimantan followed in a distant second with seven golds, three silvers and four bronzes, with the latest gold secured in the cano polo event on Thursday.

Irian Jaya, or Papua as it is popularly known, was third with a medal collection of four golds, one silver and three bronzes.

The sixth day of meet also saw exhibition races pitting national teams from Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

Indonesian rowers dominated the four races on show, winning all but one gold medal that went to the Thai pair of Piyapanoi Pantangtai/Ratanapol. The Thais beat Indonesia's Lasmin/Rahmat and Malaysia's Wan Harun/M. Pairose in the men's double sculls.

Lasmin reigned supreme in the men's single sculls, while Perlina Karoba won the women's single sculls. Indonesia, represented by Riana Weni/Ariani finished first in the women's double sculls.

The medals were presented by National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar in a ceremony which also marked the start of a national congress held by the Indonesian Rowing Association (Podsi).

During the congress, which runs through Saturday, Podsi will elect a new chief and discuss Indonesia's preparations for the Asian Canoeing Championships in Kuala Lumpur next week.