Young Helda wins first gymnastic gold in Darwin

By Primastuti Handayani

DARWIN, Australia (JP): Finally, the Indonesia Raya anthem was played at the Darwin High School arena as Helda Sulistina won the first gold in gymnastic yesterday.

The 12-year-old gymnast, who is the youngest in the national contingent, took first position after finishing the all round individual event with 32.465 points while senior Sherly Novitasari grabbed the bronze with 31.832. Malaysia's Chang Zhi Wei bagged silver with 32.065.

Although gymnastic training director Frederick Huma, had said earlier the four artistic gymnasts -- Sherly, Eliningsih, Nurfiana Akhmadi and Helda -- were not given targets for the Games, they proved themselves to be the best among the biennial event participants.

"Their participation at the Arafura Games is a tryout for the 19th Southeast Asian Games. The more they compete, the more experience they will get," he said

Russian coach Ioury Kouznetzov said Helda deserved the gold.

"Of course she deserved the medal. Definitely yes. She performed very well today and much better than yesterday. She did not make mistakes much. I'm very glad," said Kouznetzov, who kissed Helda after she finished beautifully on the balance beam.

Helda, who looked surprised when she was announced winner, collected 8.833 points on the vault, 7.50 on the uneven bars, 7.86 on the balance beam and 8.26 on the floor.

"It's my second gold. The first one I won at the Southeast Asian Confederation championships in Manila earlier this year," Helda said.

"But this is the first in the individual event. I got the first one in the team's event," she said.

The 17-year-old Sherly collected 8.250 points on the vault, 7.266 on the uneven bars, 7.68 on the balance beam and 8.63 on the floor.

Unbeatable

Indonesian second string shuttlers were unbeatable in yesterday's semifinals and set up four all-Indonesian finals today at the Nightcliff High School arena.

Lydia Djaelawidjaja crashed Ye Yin Hao of Hainan, China, 11-4, 11-0 in the women's singles. Junior Yuli Marfuah had to work to overcome China's Rong Yi 6-11, 11-7, 11-7.

Men's shuttler Hendrawan, who had a walkover win against China's Lu Jin Ming because of an injury, will play compatriot Nunung Subandoro.

Nunung beat China's Chen Ping 15-7, 15-6.

Indonesia's women's doubles pair Yuli/Lydia beat Malaysian pair Ooi May Fen/Fui Cheng 15-3, 15-2 while, Nonong/Carmelita beat China's Rong Yi/Ye Yin Hao 15-2, 15-10.

Indonesia's mixed doubles pair of Rudy Wijaya/Carmelita had to fight to beat Singapore's Patrick Lau/Chin Yen Peng 15-11, 17-14.

Rudy/Carmelita will play teammate Seng Kok Keong/Nonong, who beat Singaporeans Tan Sian Peng/Zanetta Lee 15-4, 15-9.

Men's doubles pair Rudy/Seng, who beat Singapore's Eric Lau/Desmond Tan 15-0, 15-3, will face Singapore's Patrick Tan/Tan Sian Peng, who had a walkover win over China's Chen Ping/Lu Jin Ming.

Indonesian boxers Damianus Jordan, Meckson Barataman and Wilpare Jamhur cruised to today's finals, while teammate Deddy Mikaso lost to New South Wales' Simon Peterson.

Damianus and Meckson beat Johor's Hamid and Papua New Guinea's Steven Eleas with technical knockouts.

Wilpare beat New South Wales Matthew Pauley 3-2.