East Java Tourism News

East Java squad on the brink of Games supremacy

July 18th, 2008

Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Samarinda

With only the soccer finals yet to be decided, East Java clinched the overall championship at the National Games on Wednesday, relegating Jakarta to third place.

East Java can top off its triumphant run in the 12-day competition in style when it takes on Papua in the soccer final on Thursday. The Games will officially close after the match at Samarinda’s Palaran Stadium.

As of 9 p.m. on Wednesday, East Java had a medal tally of 135 gold medals, followed by hosts East Kalimantan with 115 and Jakarta with 107. West Java and Central Java rounded out the top five with 100 and 52 gold medals respectively.

Jakarta, which used to dominate the quadrennial sporting showcase in past decades, blamed its poor showing on large numbers of athletes switching allegiances to other provinces, especially East Kalimantan.

“East Kalimantan got 21 gold medals through these mercenary athletes,” said Yudi Suyoto, head of the Jakarta contingent.

Among those who joined East Kalimantan from Jakarta is equestrian athlete Larasati. East Kalimantan swept all six gold medals up for grabs in the equestrian competition.

Yudi said he would never welcome back these athletes, whom he dubbed betrayers.

“No way back,” he said.

The defending champion’s collapse was most apparent in the badminton competition. Four years ago, it took five of seven gold medals in this competition.

This year, the Jakarta badminton team could only manage three, two of which came in the finals on Wednesday, in which the team’s sportsmanship was thrown into question in the women’s singles final.

Pia Zebadiah, scheduled to play teammate Adriyani Firdasari in the final, did not show up, handing Firdasari the victory by default.

However, the team’s strategy to rest Pia for the doubles final backfired spectacularly, as North Sulawesi’s Greysia Polii and Nathalia Poluakan defeated Pia and Jo Novita 18-21, 21-14, 21-16.

Jakarta’s second gold of the day came from Simon Santoso, who defeated Central Java’s Andre Kurniawan 21-13, 21-23, 21-13 in the men’s singles.

Devin Lahardi and Lita Nurlita of West Java beat Muhammad Rijal and Yulianti of Central Java 21-10, 21-19 to win the mixed doubles gold, while Tony Gunawan and Bambang Supriyanto of East Java struggled to a 21-19, 15-21, 22-20 win over Fernando Kurniawan and Moh. Hasan of North Maluku in the men’s doubles final.

East Java, which last won the overall championship in 1996, consolidated its position at the top of the table with gold in waterskiing, archery and hang gliding.

Also taking gold in the hand gliding competition were Jakarta, Banten, North Sulawesi and Central Java.

East Java athletes also picked up three pencak silat (traditional martial arts) gold medals at Samarinda’s Sempaja Stadium, and three gold medals in sailing.

Jakarta took the most gold medals on the day, with three in pencak silat and another three in sailing. It also added one from gymnastics, as well as synchronized swimming and rock climbing.

East Kalimantan bagged two gold medals in pencak silat, with one each from hockey, waterskiing, shooting and rock climbing.

West Java, which finished third four years ago, was also a contender for third place this year. It dominate the chess competition, taking eight of 12 gold medals, the last two coming on Wednesday from the men’s and women’s team events.

Medal Tally

1. East Java
Gold: 135
Silver: 109
Bronze: 106
Total: 350

2. East Kalimantan
Gold: 115
Silver: 109
Bronze: 115
Total: 339

3. Jakarta
Gold: 107
Silver: 114
Bronze: 115
Total: 336

4. West Java
Gold: 100
Silver: 84
Bronze: 125
Total: 309

5. Central Java
Gold: 52
Silver: 77
Bronze: 74
Total: 203

Source: The Jakarta Post

Entry Filed under: East Java News