Rantau, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - South Kalimantan sambo athletes won two gold and one bronze at the XX Papua PON.
The two golds were won by Ali Badali (18) from Tapin District, who won in 53 kg class, and Rizky Pitopang (27) from Barito Kuala District, who won in 70 kg combat. While Muhammad Fuad (26) from Tapin won bronze in a plus class of 71 kg.
It was not an easy success for them to fight at the Jayapura Auditorium. Ali Badali had to compete eight times and won in a fierce final against East Java athlete.
Rizky Pitopang six times competed and won the final against DKI Jakarta sambo athlete.
Meanwhile, M. Fuad, who competed in free class must be satisfied to win bronze. He lost against a National Training Center (Pelatnas) athlete.
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South Kalimantan sambo coach Redha Wahdaniati in Papua on Sunday said that after the XX PON in Papua they will practice more regularly.
"(We have to) prepare for Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) in South Hulu Sungai and Pre-PON for Aceh PON," he said.
Sambo sport, which is still young in South Kalimantan, he said, will hold big events every five years to attract interest and talents, as well as develop the martial art of sambo in the region.
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