West Java retains 'pencak silat' crown

West Java retains 'pencak silat' crown

JAKARTA (JP): West Java has lived up to its billing as the
country's best pencak silat stable, retaining the overall title
at the ninth national championships which concluded on Sunday.

The defending champion team won five gold, one silver and a
bronze medal to emerge as the runaway leader at the annual event,
which also served as the National Games qualifying round this
year.

Triple world champion Taslim Aziz completed the glorious night
at the East Jakarta sports hall with an easy 5-0 win over Nasroni
of Jakarta in the 75kg division final.

All but one West Javanese chalked up convincing victories in
Sunday's final. West Java hauled another four golds through male
bulwarks Samiaji and Joni Wisman, and female aces Ni Ketut
Susanti and Ika Lesmana.

World and Southeast Asian Games champion Ni Made Wahyuni of
Bali denied West Java a clean sheet when she overpowered Erni
Maryani before 3,000 spectators in the packed sports hall.

The championship's best female athlete, Wahyuni, gained one of
Bali's two gold medals, putting the province in second place
behind West Java. I Nyoman Widarta gave Bali its second gold
after defeating Gatot of Central Java.

Although Bali won less medals than host Jakarta, it was
awarded the second spot on points.

Abas Akbar gave South Sumatra its only gold by beating Ali
Imron of East Java. Abas was also named the best male athlete at
the conclusion of the week-long competition. (amd)

Medals tally (tabulated under gold, silver and bronze):
1. West Java 5 1 1
2. Bali 2 1 2
3. Jakarta 2 3 4
4. Irian Jaya 2 - 1
5. Central Java 1 3 1
6. N. Sulawesi 1 1 2
7. S. Sumatra 1 1 2
8. S. Kalimantan 1 - 1