Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia grabbed eight gold medals on the first day of the Indonesian Karate Open 2011 on Wednesday.

Five of the gold medals came from team A of the National Training Center (Pelatnas) athletes and three from team B of OSO Cup.

Pelatnas athlete Faizal Zainuddin won the first gold medal for the Indonesian contingent in men`s individual Kata, followed by Umar Syarief in men`s +84kg Kumite, Christo Mondolu in men`s -75kg, Dony Darmawan in men`s -60kg.

Pelatnas female athlete Yolanda Asmuruf meanwhile won a gold medal in women`s -68kg Kumite.

The three gold medalists from the team B were Flenty Enoch in women`s individual Kata, Yulizar Usia Motuty in men`s -67kg Kumite, and Dyah Puspitasari in women`s -55kg.

"The result on the first day of the tournament is encouraging. We grabbed 8 of 11 gold medals contested," Zulkarnaen Purba, manager of karate branch of the Pelatnas team for SEA games 2011 said on Wednesday.

"The medals give added value to our preparations for the upcoming German Open," he said.

Malaysia which serves as a strong contender to the Indonesian team won three gold medals on the first day of the tournament. The gold medals came from Mohammad Hatta in men`s -84kg Umite, Jamalliah in women`s -68kg and Yamini in women`s -61kg.

The Indonesia Open 2011 will wind up on Thursday. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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