Tae kwon do's Tami balances sport and study

Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

West Java's Utami Dewi Oktaviani was diagnosed with symptoms of typhus only a week before the tae kwon do nationals, but she still rose to the occasion.

The 19 year old, known as Tami, won gold in her flyweight class by defeating Nurina Mustika S of Yogyakarta in the final on Monday. On her way to the final, Tami beat 1999 Southeast Asian Games (SEA) finalist Ade Novriza of Jakarta.

At the 2004 National Games (PON) in Palembang last year, she won gold by overcoming Rahadewi Neta of East Java, the opponent who had beaten her for the gold at the 2003 nationals.

"Actually, it wasn't my best performance because I just recovered from illness, but I tried to give my all against all my opponents," the friendly, articulate young woman said.

Her victory was especially notable because she is not part of the national training program.

Recruited by the Indonesian Tae kwon do Association (PB TI) for Indonesia Awakens (IA), the elite training program to groom athletes for the 2006 Asian Games, she decided that her studies should come first.

"Yes, I withdrew from the IA program in Jakarta as I had just entered university (Pasundan Economics Academy) in Bandung so I couldn't leave my studies," she said.

"But for the 2005 SEA Games, I think I could participate in national training because it wouldn't take as long a period as the IA program for the Asian Games.'

The dilemma of training and studies is not new for athletes. Karateka Kartika also gave up her place in IA recently because Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta did not give its permission for her to take a leave from campus to train.

IA coach Bambang Widjanarko acknowledged that the centralized national training programs in Jakarta sometimes created a difficult decision for athletes wishing to study outside the capital.

It's a decision that also must take into account the lack of long-term welfare guarantees for former athletes.

"The best way to resolve the problem between the national training program and study is to establish training centers in provinces where the athletes came instead of just Jakarta," he said.

"It's only fair because the Indonesian government is still unable to guarantee the future life of athletes."

Like many female athletes, Tami has also had to overcome the negative view of women in sports.

Born in Bandung, Tami said she enjoyed squaring off against classmates when she was small.

"I was in the habit of fighting against boys when I was kid," recalled the 1.65 meter, 50 kilogram young woman.

She was a tomboy in other ways, preferring to play indoor soccer over the stereotyped "girls" activities and a fan of David Beckham for his skills and good looks.

Her parents were not fully supportive when Tami asked to train in tae kwon do when she was 12.

She quickly showed results, taking third in the junior event at the Bandung Mayor's Cup.

West Java coach Agus Sumarno, who is also part of the IA program, said Tami's talent was clear from an early age.

"Her posture and body proportions are suitable as a fighter," he said."She has already proved her talent by winning in PON and the nationals."

With Tami's trophies now crowding their home, her once reluctant parents are now firmly in her support section.

"I think they now understand my involvement in tae kwon do."