Thu, 09 Sep 2004

Sutrisno breaks world mark in Palembang

Eva C. Komandjaja and Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Palembang

While the track and field venue has seen some less than enthralling performances in terms of international standards, Sutrisno, a powerlifter broke a world record on Wednesday.

Sutrisno managed a total lift of 725 kilograms in the men's 60-kilogram category to win a gold for Lampung.

His lift broke his own world record of 715 kilograms, set in South Korea in 2002.

Maryono of West Kalimantan was another impressive performer, improving the national record from 585 kilograms to 612.5 kilograms in the men's 52-kg class.

The marksmen joined the record-breakers list with Ridwan Gunawan of South Sumatra shooting a score of 1206.6 points in the individual free rifle 3x40 and the Central Java team comprising Andi Hendrata, Gatot Puspojudo and Bonnie Agus H getting their record in the team free rifle event.

The shooters' impressive performances helped their teams to leapfrog East Java on the provisional standings.

Central Java, as of 8:45 pm, had collected 37 gold medals to climb to third place. East Java was three golds behind.

Meanwhile, Jakarta continues its impressive gold haul with 75 gold to second-placed West Java's 50.

Jakarta's outstanding run was boosted by the dominant performance by its shuttlers at the Dempo Badminton Hall in the Jakabaring sports complex.

The badminton squad from the capital has representatives in the finals in all five events after Wednesday's semifinals. The men's doubles event is assured of gold as the finalists are all from Jakarta: Markis Kido/Hendra Sukmawan and Candra Wijaya/Nova Widianto.

Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat of West Java advanced to the final with a win over North Sumatra's Wimpie Mahardi.

Taufik won 15-10, 15-10 to book his place in the final against Simon Santoso, a 15-13, 15-10 winner over Marleve Mainaky of West Java.

South Sumatra and Papua each won two golds in track and field, but the third day of competition was again devoid of world-class marks.

Jauhari Johan and Ni Putu Desi won in the men's 5,000 meter and women's long jump, respectively to help South Sumatra take an overall 22 golds to stay in fifth place.

The most prestigious events -- the men's and women's 100-meter run -- will be on Thursday to decide the fastest man and fastest woman in the country.