Taufan wins Indonesia's first gold in kumite

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (JP): Arif Taufan Syamsuddin restored Indonesia's pride in the karate competition at the 20th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here on Tuesday with a gold medal in the men's below-60-kilogram division.

The Asian Games champion outpointed home crowd favorite Mohammad Fadilah Sanif 5-3 for his team's lone gold on the penultimate day of the karate event, in which Indonesia also earned a silver and two bronzes.

With four more gold medals up for grabs in the final program on Wednesday, Indonesia has high hopes of achieving a seven-gold haul. Indonesia has now collected six golds in karate, equaling Malaysia, which picked up two more golds from Rajoo Muniandy in the men's below-70kg class and Kong Tai Moon in the men's below- 65kg category.

Indonesia's best hope in the women's below-53kg class, Sandra Aryani, could not maintain her composure, capitulating 0-5 to Vu Kim Anh in the final. Hasan Basri and Sonny Simangunsong failed to reach the finals and had to be content with bronzes in respectively the men's below 65-kg and below 70-kg divisions.

Secretary-General of the Indonesian Karate-Do Federation (FORKI), Hendardji Soepandji, said he projected three more golds from Isfan Rahfisal Tanjung in the men's below 55-kg division, Novilus Yoku in the men's open class and Lia Nurlianty in the women's below 48-kg class.

Taufan staved off a strong challenge from feisty Fadilah, triumphing in front of the pro-Fadilah crowd who packed the Royal Brunei Airlines Sports Hall. Brunei was bidding to win its first gold ever in karate.

The 24-year-old Indonesian fell to his knees in joy as soon as the referee awarded the victory to him.

"Fadilah put up an all-out fight, but his skills were not enough to beat me. I didn't underestimate him, but I think I was more prepared than him," Taufan said.

Brunei's Indonesian coach Gustaf Yusuf Lineleyan said he was not disappointed in his protege's performance.

"Of course I wish Fadilah won the match. But even though he lost, I was great to see him reach the final. His strict discipline during practice sessions impressed me," Yusuf said.

Yusuf coached Taufan before moving to Brunei in June last year.

Protest lodged

Indonesia lodged another protest over alleged unfair refereeing, which it claimed had cost Sonny the chance of reaching the final. He lost to eventual gold medalist Rajoo.

Indonesian team manager Boy Crain accused the Kuwaiti referee of lacking impartiality.

"The referee gave controversial judgments three times at our expense," an upset Boy said.

Sonny said he was concerned because the panel of judges did not award him points for landing a series of punches in the dying minutes. Rajoo fought back and clinched winning points.

But 23-year-old Sonny said the defeat did not discourage him. "I'm still young and my career has a long way to go."

FORKI's official in charge of international relations, Albert Paruntu said he had urged the council of referees to keenly observe the matches.

"It's not just about unfair judgments. The referees should have not missed the flags being raised by the judges," he said. (ivy)