Weightlifting body names five Asiad competitors

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association's secretary-general, Djoko Pramono, named yesterday five competitors as most likely to go to the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.

Djoko, also inspector general of the inspectorate general of tourism, post and telecommunications, told reporters at the National Sports Council office that it was likely that five of the 12 lifters currently being groomed for the Asiad would represent Indonesia at the quadrennial event.

"The potential competitors are Patmawati, Winarni, Sri Indriyani, Hari Setiawan and Erwin Abdullah. The other seven lifters will not be sent home but will continue being trained for other international events," he said.

The association has been training 12 lifters since November. In the women's squad are Sri, Winarni, Sriyani, Supeni and Patmawati. Hari, Taufik, Misdan, Zulkarnaen, Sutrisno, Erwin and Joko Hanggono are on the men's squad.

Sri, Winarni, Sriyani, Hari, Taufik and Erwin won a gold medal each in the 19th SEA Games held here last October.

Winarni also won two golds in the 50 kilogram division at the World Weightlifting Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, last December. One for her total lift of 185 kg -- her overall mark in this event was a new world record. Another for a 105 kg lift in the clean and jerk.

Winarni, who was awarded a Timor car last month by the minister of youth affairs and sports for breaking the record, also won a bronze in the snatch event with an 80 kg lift.

Patmawati, who failed to win a medal in the Games, won golds in the 59 kg division at the championships after lifting 97.5 kg in the snatch event and 212.5 kg in the overall. The latter was a new world best. Patmawati also received a car from the minister for her efforts.

Djoko said the association would stage the first phase of the selection process, including all 12 lifters, on Feb. 28 in Pringsewu, Lampung.

"We will select the lifters based on their improvement during their long-term training. After the selection, the lifters will continue training either in Pringsewu, Lampung, or in Gadog, Bogor," he said.

Djoko also said the association would help finance surgery as soon as possible for Erwin, who is suffering from a nasal polyp. (yan)