Veterans up for judo team
Veterans up for judo team
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
National athletes with proven records in international competition are expected to bring home gold in judo at the 23rd Southeast Asia (SEA) Games in the Philippines next month.
SEA Games judo manager Yorry Yance Worang said on Monday that golds were expected from Krisna Bayu, 31, in the men's under 100 kg category, women's under 52 kg from Maya Fransiska, 24, and over 78 kg Ira Purnamasari, 24.
"The three athletes, who won gold in the 2003 SEA Games, have big chances to win gold in this year SEA Games," he said.
He added the 2004 Olympian Krisna Bayu was the heavy favorite to repeat his gold-winning performance from Hanoi. "In Southeast Asia, I think Krisna Bayu is still number one," he said.
Several other experienced athletes are among the picks of the Indonesian Judo Association (PJSI) for the regional multievent championship, with Indonesia competing in 16 weight divisions.
Women's under 57-kg athlete Endang Sri Lestari, 31, and men's under 90-kg athlete Dwi Sihmanto are other veterans in the national contingent.
Other hopefuls are Toni Irawan (-55kg), Eldy Gan (-60kg), Peter Taslim (-66kg), Johanes Taslim (-73kg), Jimmy Anggoro (- 81kg) and Deni Zulfendri (+100) in the men's division, and Sari Astraviani (-45kg), Yuliati (-48kg), Tina Feryani (-63kg), Lutfidyah (-70kg), and Cliffia Sulistio (-78kg) among the women.
Yorri said the other athletes were expected to medal, but other factors would be at play in the competition, based on judging.
"We expect three golds this year like in 2003 where we brought home three golds, four silvers and four bronzes. It will be good if we get more this year," he said.
Vietnam, judo's defending overall medal champion, and the host country are expected to present Indonesia's main competition.
"Vietnam is really serious in preparing its athletes, while Philippine athletes will not want to be embarrassed at home and their veteran athletes are also strong," Yorri said.
The association sent the athletes for training in South Korea last month.
"Our athletes are now at Kyung Min High School, a school specializing in judo," Yorri said, adding the athletes were coached by former Asian champion Kim Sung Il and three Indonesian coaches.
Yorri said the athletes were about the same standard as their Korean counterparts at the school.
"This week is the last week for our athletes at Kyung Min, next week they will move to Keom Kok High School for a different training session," Yorry added.
The athletes will depart for Cebu, where judo will be held, on Nov. 25, two days before the Games open.