W. Java dominates taekwondo c'ships by winning three golds

JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion West Java dominated the second day of the second LG Cup Taekwondo National Championships by grabbing three golds on Friday at the Bung Karno tennis indoor stadium, leaving the fourth to Central Sulawesi.

West Java collected its first gold medal through Shanti fighting in women's over 72 kilogram weight category on Thursday and led Friday's medal tally with four golds and one silver.

Fighting in the men's under 72 kilo lightweight class, West Java's Rusandi managed to beat Surabaya 1999 National Games (PON) champion Alfons Lung of East Kalimantan in their final match.

His victory was followed up by teammate newcomer Onyas who defeated national athlete Rahel Daring, also from East Kalimantan, 2-0 in the women's under 59 kilo featherweight class final.

West Java's third gold medal was contributed by Voppy T. in the women's under 63 kilo light weight class final match after outclassing her arch rival Eva Susanti from Jakarta 11-4.

West Java's hope for a fourth gold medal was shattered when Taufik had to withdraw from his men's under 63 kilo featherweight class final match against Carless Assa of Central Sulawesi.

"My toes were stuck between the mattresses and got cramped. I couldn't continue the fight," Taufik told reporters as quoted by Antara news agency.

Meanwhile, Carless said he did not expect to win the match.

"It's just sheer luck. I only prepared myself for two weeks prior to the tournament," he said.

Sheer luck or not, he defeated PON champion Muhammad Kirom of East Java with a powerful kick sending that resulted in a knockout.

The Indonesian Taekwondo Association (TI) West Java chapter chairman, Ragam Santika, said he was satisfied with his team's results.

"We didn't set an excessive target. Currently the strength is evenly distributed. Those from Central Java, East Java, Jakarta and Yogyakarta are strong opponents," he said.

"We use the championships as a training ground for our young fighters. Almost 70 percent of our team are young fighters."

East Java taekwondoins, who grabbed two golds on Thursday, failed to even reach any of Friday's finals.

The championships will continue with the men's fin, women's fin, men's middle, and women's middle weight classes on Saturday. (nvn)