Wiranto prefers bridge to karate
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Karate-Do Federation (Forki), Wiranto, will not run for the a second term as chairman at the federation's congress as he prefers to focus on the Indonesian Contract Bridge Association (Gabsi), of which he is also the chairman.
"I think it's time for the younger generation in Forki to take the lead. The candidates, however, must meet certain qualifications," he told reporters on Monday.
"The most important thing is that the new management must not negatively affect our international achievements but, instead, improve on them."
Wiranto was speaking after a meeting with chairman of the National Spots Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar. Also present at the meeting were Forki's secretary-general Hendardji and specialist member of staff Gilbert Arthur Pesik.
"Besides, I'm still Gabsi's chairman for another two years. WIth regard to the future, it would be better if I concentrated on contract bridge," said Wiranto.
"In particular, we must defend our world title in Bali in October."
Wismoyo expressed the hope that karate could improve on its achievements as one of Indonesia's potential medal winners in international events.
Forki has set a target of seven out of the 19 golds at stake in the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Wiranto said Wismoyo's request for seven golds would be seriously taken into consideration by Forki.
"It's difficult to win seven golds because host Malaysia will certainly do their best to grab more medals. Forki will do its best by working hard to exceed the target."
Pesik told The Jakarta Post that the SEA Games preparations would also include the publicizing of the new regulations.
"The athletes will have to learn about the new regulations that have been used by the World Karate Federation (WKF) since the World Championships in Germany last October," he said.
"The new regulations give higher points to more difficult and dangerous technics including throwing and geri (kick) instead of easier ones of tsuki (fist) and haito (chop)."
"It also requires athletes to be more mature in delivering their attacks. They have to control their techniques to avoid any injuries."
In kumite events, the old scoring system used wazari (one point) and ippon (two points), with a total of six points needed to win a match.
The new scoring system features ippon (one point), nihon (two points) and sanbon (three points), with a total of eight points needed to win a match.
According to the new system, all tsuki will get ippon, chudan- geri (stomach kick) and combinations of fists receive nihon while jodan-geri (face kick) and throws get sanbon.
"But karate's throwing techniques are different to judo's. Athletes are not allowed to grab the opponent's costume directly," said Pesik.
"They must combine it with other techniques such as harai (sweep), kicks or fists." (nvn)