World champ Patmawati may miss Asiad

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian world women's weightlifting champion Patmawati is likely to miss the 13th Asian Games due to a chronic shoulder injury, a medical official said yesterday.

Carmen Jahja, deputy chairman of the National Sports Council's sports science center, said Patmawati injured her right shoulder before the 19th Southeast Asian Games last year, but nevertheless competed in the event.

"She is too lazy to get physiotherapy, take medicine and practice. She risks jeopardizing her career," Carmen said.

Patmawati has been receiving medical treatment from Carmen for the past month.

"She (Patmawati) could have recovered in about two to four weeks if she underwent intensive treatment when first injured. She cannot even comb her hair now," Carmen added.

Patmawati shrugged off the pain to win two golds in the 59 kg division at the world championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand last December with a snatch lift of 97.5 kgs and a total lift of 212.5 kgs.

Secretary-general of the Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association, Djoko Pramono, said Thursday that Patmawati would definitely miss selection for the Asiad.

Trials for the national team to go to the Asiad are currently taking place in Pringsewu, Lampung. Eleven male and female athletes are vying for six places in the team.

Those competing for a place on the women's team are world 50kg champion Winarni, Sri Indriyani, Sriyani and Supeni. Candidates for the men's team are Herry Setiawan, Taufik, Misdan, Zulkarnaen, Sutrisno, Erwin Abdullah and Joko Hanggono.

All the athletes have been training at centers in Lampung, and Gadog, West Java, since last November. (yan)