Weather concerns Indonesian karatekas
(Xinhua)Updated: 2006-11-24 16:39
The Indonesian karate team for next month's 15th Asian Games will not only have to deal with hot favorites Japan and Iran, but also will have to adapt to the warmer weather in Doha, Qatar.
As six members of the national karate team are currently training overseas in Ravernsburg, Germany, they will have to immediately get used to the higher temperatures in Doha, which are currently hovering between 15-20 degrees Celcius, compared to the average of zero degrees in Germany.
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He added that the temperature difference between the two countries might affect the karate team's physical condition and concentration.
Umar Syarief (+80 kilograms division), Christo Mondolu (-75 kg), Donny Dharmawan (-65 kg) and Bambang Maulidin (-60 kg) in the men' s field, and Puspa Meonk (-60 kg) and Jenny Zeannet (-65 kg) in the women's field have been training in Germany.
Hendro Salim (-80 kg) and Mardiah Nasution (+60 kg) will fly to Ravernsburg on Saturday before all eight fighters head to Doha on December 5.
Hendro and Mardiah were selected at the last minute for the Asian Games squad. Hendro is an addition to the men's team while Mardiah replaces Telly Malinda, who is sidelined due to a shoulder injury, on the women's squad.
"The team will fly to Doha six days before the karate competition kicks off on December 11 to give them more time to adapt to the weather," Madju said.
Based on the national team's recent performances, Madju was optimistic that his fighters would be able to meet the National Sports Council's target of one gold medal at the quadrennial event.
Donny recently won a bronze medal at the 18th World Karate Championships in Tampere, Finland, and a gold in the Austria Open, both in October.
Bambang won gold at the Austria Open, while Christo won bronze in the German Open in September. The women's team of Puspa and Jenny won gold in the Austria Open.
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