W. Java defends tae kwon do title
JAKARTA (JP): West Java defended its overall champion title at the second LG Cup Taekwondo National Championships at the Bung Karno Indoor Tennis Stadium in Senayan, Central Jakarta, after grabbing eight of 16 golds at stake on Sunday.
The team's victory was boosted when the organizers announced Muhammad Dalam Imron as the best men's fighter and Dasantyo as the best coach.
Ika Dian Fitria of East Java was named the best women's fighter and Raphael J. Rosok of East Kalimantan as the best referee.
The organizer's chairman, Intan Hardi Wijaya, told reporters that the best athletes and officials were selected by a special team set by TI.
"The criteria were clear. The person must show good taekwondo skills, good taekwondo knowledge, and good attitude and mores," he said.
West Java scooped three more golds on Sunday leaving the fourth and last medal to Jakarta.
A. Wildan of West Java fighting in the men's bantamweight event outclassed Himawan Sutiono of Jakarta 8-4.
"My opponent was actually good but he couldn't stand the pressure. On the other hand, I produced more points," Wildan told reporters after the match.
Wildan's victory was followed by teammate Bayu P. who defeated Mario Bagyo after a close fight at the men's welterweight class final.
Sharing the score 3-3 in the first and second rounds, Bayu added two more points to Mario's one in the decisive third round to grab the gold with only one point difference 8-7.
National taekwondoin Shinta Berliana Heru of West Java, competing in the women's welterweight final, grabbed the third gold for her team after defeating Amalia K.P. of Jakarta 4-2.
The fourth gold of the day went to Jakarta when Diah Satriaji beat Yovieta of Yogyakarta 4-2 in the women's bantam weight class final.
In overall standing, East Java finished second with four golds and Jakarta was third collecting three golds.
The Indonesian Taekwondo Association (TI) chairman, Suharto, said that the West Java contingent deserved to be the overall champion.
"The branch has the best development program so far in comparison to others. West Java chapter organizes tournaments at district level, not only at branch level. No other branches arrange competitions at such a low level. This exposes West Java's fighters to competition at a very early stage."
Suharto also said all winners would be admitted to the second phase of the training schedule for the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in September.
TI secretary general Adrian Lumowa said currently strength was evenly distributed among the contingents.
"Participants from outside Java showed significant developments compared to their Java-based opponents. The juniors also performed well catching up with their seniors. It just goes to prove that TI's regeneration process is going well." (nvn)