Two junior weightlifters compete in W. C'ships
Two junior weightlifters compete in W. C'ships
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and
Bodybuilding Association will send two lifters to the World
Weightlifting Junior Championship in Capetown, South Africa.
The association's secretary-general, Djoko Pramono, said
yesterday defending champion Sri Indriyani and newcomer Joko
Hanggono would compete in the 46 kilogram and 108 kilogram
classes respectively.
"Our goal is for them to use the event as a tryout for the
19th Southeast Asian Games in October and to win the
championships," he said.
Indriyani, nicknamed Indri, has increased her strength and can
lift 82.5 kilograms in the snatch and 102.5 kilograms in the
clean and jerk, but is still three kilograms overweight.
Coach Imron Rosadi said Indri was working to reduce her
weight.
"I have to reduce her weight drastically because it's best for
her. If she reduced her weight two weeks ago, she wouldn't have
been able to reach her top performance at the championship," he
said.
The 18-year-old Indri was optimistic she could retain her
title, which she won last year in Poland.
Last year, Indri lifted 73 kilograms in the snatch and 92.5
kilograms in the clean and jerk.
She then lifted 75 kilograms in the snatch and 95 kilograms in
the clean and jerk at the Asian Championship in South Korea.
Newcomer Joko, who is 1.77 meters tall and weighs 130
kilograms, will use the championship to test competition waters.
Coach Harry Wibowo said before Joko joining the centralized
training his best was a 110 kilogram snatch and a 180 kilogram
clean and jerk. He lifted these at the National Games in
September where he came second.
After five months with the centralized program, Joko has a 150
kilogram snatch and a 195 kilogram clean and jerk, for a total of
345 kilograms.
But this is still far from South Korea's world champion Lee
Wong-sung, who has a 380 kilogram total.
"Although it will be difficult for Joko to win first prize, I
believe he can finish second at the championship," Djoko said.
National Sports Council chairman Wismoyo Arismunandar urged
the association to groom more juniors and focus on the Asian
Games and the Olympic Games.
"If possible, weightlifting could be the second event where we
look to win Olympic medals, after badminton," he said.
Indonesia won its first Olympic gold medals at the 1992
Olympics in Barcelona after winning the men's and women's singles
badminton. (yan)