Three Indonesian judokas compete in Asian C'ships

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Judo Association (PJSI) is sending three judokas to compete in the Asian Judo Championships in Wenzhou, China, in an attempt to qualify the athletes for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

PJSI deputy secretary-general Aji Kusmantri said after meeting National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar the three judokas had to finish among the top three at the Asian championships to qualify for the Olympics.

The three judokas -- Kresna Bayu (men's 91 kilogram division), Aprilia Marzuki (women's 63 to 67 kg division) and Praptiningsih (women's 48 to 52 kg division) -- will compete at the championships from June 23 to June 27.

The three athletes also must finish among the top three in two other major events: the Asia-Pacific championships in Chinese Taipei in mid-July and the Sun Kock championships in South Korea in November.

"They must score points in these three events. They have to finish among the top three in each of these championships," Aji was quoted by Media Indonesia as saying.

Aji is confident the three judokas will be able to dominate these Asian events because of their international training and experience. Bayu, Aprilia and Prapti trained and competed in Japan and South Korea for several months.

"They also fought at the 1998 Asian Games. Aprilia even managed to finish in the top five at the event," he said.

In the Asiad in Bangkok, Bayu and Praptiningsih crashed out in their first-round fights.

Bayu said he would do his best to finish in the top three at the three upcoming championships.

"I will try hard. I have competed at the Asian championships so I have the experience," he said.

He said he improved his technique and strengthened his fighting spirit during his time in Japan.

"In Japan, I challenged world champions. I got a lot of advice from them, particularly concerning technique," he said.

Aprilia shared Bayu's optimism. "I finished among the top five once. Now I long for the top three," she said.(ivy)