We are optimistic that our young athletes would surprise us with medals.
Medan (ANTARA) - North Sumatra has set its sights on securing two gold medals in the karate sports branch at the National Games (PON) scheduled on October 11-14, 2021, at the Kayu Batu Aviation Polytechnic GOR, Jayapura City.

North Sumatra's karate coach Delphinus Rumahorbo is optimistic that North Sumatra's karate athletes would be able to win a gold medal for the region at this Papua PON.

"In 2016, at the PON in West Java, we had won two gold. We also aimed for two gold medals in this Papua PON. We would be grateful if we could bring home more medals," Rumahorbo remarked on Saturday.

With eight athletes, Rumahorbo admitted to not only expecting medals from several senior athletes, including Dessyinta, Wan Nurul, and Widodo, who had earlier contested in PON, but also pins hopes of a medal win from young athletes debuting in this Papua PON.


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"We are optimistic that our young athletes would surprise us with medals. They have won in the junior category. Despite different pressures and tensions at the PON, so far, we have been training them. For instance, Nicky (Dwi Oktari) has just entered the military, and we hope that her experience can build her fighting spirit,” he stated.

In addition to competing with other karate athletes, Rumahorbo expects North Sumatra's karate athletes to be able to safeguard themselves from conditions outside the competition arena, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and malaria still lingering in Papua.

“I think the athletes have heard more or less about the conditions there. It will certainly have an effect, but we strive to respond to it through training. Hopefully, they will be strong enough," Rumahorbo stated.

At the XX Papua PON, the North Sumatra karate contingent will be strengthened by eight athletes, who will compete in the kumite and kata branches.

The eight athletes include Dessyinta Banurea (+68 kg for women), Gusti Bayu (-75 kg for men), Widodo Febrianto (-84 kg for men), and Daniel (+84 kg for men), Faisal Siahaan (-60 kg male), Nicky Dwi Oktari (-61 kg female), Dwi Fadhilah (-50 kg female) and Wan Nurul Zulfa (-68 kg female).


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Translator: Juraidi, Resinta S
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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