Tough draw for RI beach volleyball team in 14th Asiad
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Busan, South Korea
Indonesian beach volleyball players at the Busan 2002 Asian Games have a tough draw ahead in their competitions which start on Sunday morning well before the Asiad torch, dubbed the Unification Flame, is even lit.
The players, Agus Salim, Koko Prasetyo Darkuncoro, Supriadi and Andi Ardiansyah will form two teams in the men's division. Meanwhile in the women's division there is only one team of Ni Putu Timy Yudhani Rahayu and Siti Nurjanah.
Beach volleyball will be played until Oct. 4 at Haeundae beach.
Agus and Koko form Indonesia 1 who will be pitted against Thailand 2, South Korea 2, Kazakhstan 2 and Kuwait 2 in Group A. Meanwhile, Indonesia 2 consists of Supriadi and Andi and is together with Kazakhstan 1, China 1, Kuwait 1 and Bahrain 1 in Group C.
"Indonesia 1 is in a relatively light group and we can expect Agus and Koko to be first in the group.
"But Supriadi and Andi have to work hard because the opponents are quite tough. But they should get second in their group," beach volleyball team manager, Slamet Mulyanto said on Saturday.
Four teams from each group will enter the single elimination second round before entering the medal round.
Slamet said that each team's finish in its group was important for later seedings.
"Teams with higher positions will meet those of the lower ranks. That's why our teams should finish their group qualifying round as good as possible."
The Indonesian billiard players had better luck in their draw, getting light opponents, which were drawn on Thursday evening, ensuring the players an easier path to grab medals.
Billiard events will be held from Oct. 1 to Oct. 4 at the Dongju College Gymnasium.
Ananta Sigit Sidharta will have Filipino Reynaldo Grandea in the partie libre^ event's first round match. So far, Ananta has a 2-0 lead from their previous meetings at the 1987 and 1997 SEA Games.
"The drawing is actually not that light. But I have defeated Grandea twice so I hope to win again him this time," Ananta said.
The women's team is in Group A with China 1, Thailand 1 and South Korea 1.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Junarto and Suwito are playing in the 8- ball singles event.
They also are expected to have easy games against their Malaysian opponents.
Junarto will face Tan Kah Thiam while Suwito will get Ibrahim Amir.
"I don't have any problems with any opponents. I will just do my best," said Junarto.
Junarto and Suwito will also play the 9-ball singles on Oct. 4 with Junarto facing his disciple, Japanese Akikumo Toshikawa while Suwito challenges another Japanese player Kiyotaka Ohhasi.
"I used to win most of the matches against Toshikawa but I don't know how his development has gone," said Junarto who is a naturalized Indonesian of Japanese descent.
Japan is Indonesia's main opponent in 9-ball singles thanks to former world champion Kunihiko Takahashi.
At the Busan Yachting Club, I Gusti Made Oka Sulaksana said he would do his best in every race because each one should be treated like the finals.
"You cannot afford to let go in a particular race just to save your energy. A preliminary race is just as important as any other.
"While you are leading, you seem to get additional energy so you don't feel tired at all," said the Bangkok 1998 Asiad gold medalist.
Oka said he expected tough opposition from Japanese Kenzo Motokatsu although he had not seen his recent form as Japanese windsurfers only practiced among themselves.
"It is different than windsurfers from China and South Korea who are willing to practice together."