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)