Our Wushu athletes have been ready for the Papua Games' competition. We hope that we are going to be the best in Taulo (artistic performance) competition. Harris can be the best. We also have Juwita, Freddy, and CharlesMedan (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Wushu Association (WI)-North Sumatra chapter is aiming to clinch five gold medals in Papua's PON National Games, which are scheduled to be held in October this year.
North Sumatra's target is realistic owing to tough competition with Central Java and West Java, head of WI-North Sumatra chapter, Chairul Azmi Hutasuhut, said in a statement that ANTARA received here on Thursday.
"The competition of Wushu (Chinese martial arts) at the Papua Games is now tougher as Central Java is so good at Wushu's Sanda (combat) competition," he remarked.
He said that despite the tough competition, he is confident of the capability of North Sumatra's Wushu athletes and their chances of winning gold.
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Athletes that are billed to bring gold include those from the national training camp (Pelatnas), such as Harris Horatius and Juwita Niza Wasni, Hutasuhut stated.
"Our Wushu athletes have been ready for the Papua Games' competition. We hope that we are going to be the best in Taulo (artistic performance) competition. Harris can be the best. We also have Juwita, Freddy, and Charles," he added.
The 19 Wushu athletes from the North Sumatra contingent were trained well prior to their departure for the Papua games, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they did not get to take part in overseas tryouts, he said.
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The WI-North Sumatra chapter recently held a simulation tournament so that Wushu coaches could evaluate each of the athletes' performance, he informed.
Papua has come under the spotlight of Indonesia's media outlets as it is due to host this year's PON National Games and National Para Games (Peparnas).
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The games will be held in Jayapura city and the districts of Jayapura, Mimika, and Merauke from October 2-15, while Peparnas will be held from November 2-15 this year.
At least 6,400 athletes and 3,500 officials from 34 provinces across Indonesia are expected to participate in Papua's National Games, which will feature 37 events.
Meanwhile, 1,935 athletes and 740 officials will take part in the National Para Games in Jayapura city and Jayapura district, which will feature 12 events.
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Translator: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
