Jakarta, Aug 23 (ANTARA News) - Four Indonesian fighters won in the last 16 of the 2018 Asian Games in the martial arts arena at Padepokan Pancak Silat Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta, on Thursday.

In the first match, fighter Iqbal Pratama was able to defeat the athlete from Thailand, Porntep Poolkaew, with a score of 5-0 in the men`s D number: 60 kilograms-65 kilograms.

The kick and punch that he launched managed to get a lot of points. On the other hand, he was able to move his body quickly to avoid the opponent`s attacks.

The victory obtained by Iqbal was not easy because of the fierce resistance from Porntep in the second and third rounds after losing to Iqbal in the first round.

Iqbal also admitted that he was grateful to be able to win a game that was quite fierce and hard with a very tough opponent. He stated that Porntep was a very tough opponent, even though he had faced him thrice at the international Sea Games championship and other championships.

In the second match, Komang Adi Putra appeared more convincing in the male category in class E 65 kg-70 kilogram, defeating Timor Leste tennis player David No Ano Ximenes, with a score of 5-0.

Komang`s victory was fantastic, as he did not allow Ximenes to gain a single point for three rounds.

While in the third match, Abdul Malik was able to beat Dinh Nguyen, with a score of 3-1, in the men`s category Class B: 50 kilograms-55 kilograms.

Both athletes tried hard to get points, so that they could win the match. But fate was still on Malik`s side.

Malik ended Nguyen`s fierce resistance in the final three seconds of the third round.

In the last match, Amri Rusdana was able to defeat Nurulla Saidov, an Uzbek fighter in the men`s F number: 70 kilograms-75 kilograms. Amri won by a landslide score of 5-0.

Amri`s victory closed the first Indonesian fighter`s match at the 2018 Asian Games.

The Indonesian Pencak Silat (martial arts) athlete coach, Abas Akbar, reminded all athletes to relax when competing in the 2018 Asian Games, so they could win the Pencak Silat match.

"Maybe, the pressure is because it is just about playing first. We are hosts, but we will evaluate and motivate our athletes to play well," Abas told reporters at Padepokan Pencak Silat (Martial Arts Hermitage) of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta.

With the results of the victory, Abas also requested athletes to hone their skills. "God willing, in the second round, our athletes will be more confident again," he pointed out.

He added that all athletes in the Pencak Silat match have strong abilities.

"If we do not have an Indonesian team that has special abilities, it would be tough. So no one enjoys it, everyone has a target," Abas revealed. *** 4 ***

Reporting by Syaiful Hakim
Editing by Eliswan Azly

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018