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