Atlet Renang Jabar Optimistis Raih Prestasi di PON

Berhasil tampil memuaskan di SEA Games 2011, tim renang Jawa Barat optimistis meraih hasil yang memuaskan pada PON 2012 Riau.

"Kalau melihat hasil yang diraih para atlet renang Jabar pada SEA Games kemarin, kita yakin pada PON nanti bisa meraih kesuksesan," ungkap Sekretaris Umum PRSI Jabar, Verdian Yosef di Kolam Renang Tirtallega, Tegallega, Bandung, Jumat (25/11).

Dari 38 nomor yang dipertandingkan, tim renang Jabar optimistis bisa merebut 28 medali jika mengacu pada hasil SEA Games. Menurut Yosef, jika atlet Jabar di SEA Games bisa meraih perunggu maka dipastikan akan mendapat emas pada PON.

"Kalau yang mendapat emas dipastikan bisa meraih emas juga. Bahkan yang meraih perunggu di SEA Games peluang besar mendapat emas," tuturnya.

Yosef mengatakan, pada SEA Games hampir seluruh atlet renang Jabar masuk final. "Ini membanggakan, atlet Jabar masuk babak final. Jelas potensi Jabar pada PON sangat besar," ujarnya.

Yosef meminta agar para atlet tidak terlena oleh hasil pada SEA Games, karena daerah lain tentu akan lebih matang lagi persiapannya.

"Walaupun hasil yang raih sangat baik, kita jangan lengah dan persiapan juga harus lebih matang lagi. Kita masih punya waktu 9 bulan untuk persiapan PON," jelasnya.

Rencananya tim Pelatda renang Jabar kembali harus mempersiapkan timnya untuk PON mendatang dan mengasah kemampuan.

"Secara kuantitas kita sangat baik persiapannya dan akan terus mengasah kemampuan atlet dengan beberapa kali uji coba ke luar negeri," ucapnya.(GM)-

Open Water makes debut at South-East Asian Games

Open water was part of the competition programme for the first time in 52 years at the 26th South-East Asian Games. The event is organised from November 17-19, 2011 on Putri Island one of the Thousands Islands around ‘Seribu’ archipelago in Indonesia, 17km from the Capital of Jakarta. 

Air and water temperatures were around 30˚C and 28˚C, respectively. The competition was entered by four countries: Indonesia as host, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia. There were events of 5km and 10km for both men and and women.

The competition started with the 5km race on November 17 at Putri Island, entered by 12 swimmers in all. Chau, Ba Anh Tu from Vietnam took out the men's event, followed by Ricky Angga Wijaya from Indonesia while Singapore swimmer Brandon Boon placed third. The remaining competitors were Arnoczy Kusadewa Pratama (INA), Kenneth Lim (SIN) and Truong Giang Phan (VIE).

Among women, Heidi Gan from Malaysia finished in first place, followed by Thi Ngoc Bich Nguyen from Vietnam and Yessy V. Yosaputra from Indonesia. Rania Saumi G. (INA), Chelsea Fuch (SIN) and Thi Ngoc Yen Nguyen (VIE) also took part in the race.

Results:

5km Putra
1. Ba Anh Tu Chau (VIE), 1:07:02.529
2. Ricky Angga Wijaya (INA), 1:09:58.563
3. Brandon Boon (SIN), 1:10:02.923
4. Arnoczy Kusadewa Pratama (INA), 1:10:27.537
5. Kenneth Lim (SIN), 1:11:01.198
6. Truong Giang (Phan VIE), 1:11:11.429 (DQ)

5km Putri
1. Gan, Heidi (MAS), 1:11:47.454
2. Nguyen, Thi Ngoc Bich (VIE), 1:13:45.031
3. Yosapura, Yessy V (INA), 1:15:19.323
4. Saumi G, Rania (INA), 1:15:24.069
5. Fuch, Chelsea (SIN), 1:19:28.829
6. Nguyen, Thi Ngoc Yen (DNF)

10km putra:

1. BA ANH TU CHAU (Vietnam) 02:14:32:94
2. RICKY ANGGA WIJAYA (Indonesia) 02:14:41:59
3. KEVIN YEAP SOON C (Malaysia) 02:15:29:80
4. VERNON LEE JEAU ZH (Malaysia) 02:15:32:47
5. BRANDON BOON (Singapore) 02:15:34:57
6. SATRIO BAGASKARA G (Indonesia) 02:16:08:41

10km putri:

1. HEIDI GAN (Malaysia) 02:20:26:70

2.  THI NGOC YEN N. (Vietnam) 02:34:59:61

3.  YESSY V YOSAPUTRA (Indonesia) 02:38:47:39

4. ANISSA FABIOLA (Indonesia) 02:42:39:39

11 rekor renang dipecahkan pada SEA Games 2011

Sebanyak 11 rekor baru SEA Games dari beberapa nomor perlombaan renang berhasil dipecahkan oleh perenang dari Indonesia, Thailand, Singapura dan Vietnam pada SEA Games XXVI/2011 di Stadion Akuatik Jakabaring, Palembang.
Panitia cabang renang SEA Games 2011, Herlambang di Palembang, Jumat mengatakan, dari 11 rekor baru SEA Games 2011 yang dipecahkan para perenang tersebut atlet Indonesia dan Thailand berhasil memecahkan tiga rekor baru, atlet dari Vietnam satu rekor baru dan Singapura berhasil memecahkan empat rekor baru SEA Games kali ini.

Dari 38 medali emas yang diperebutkan pada SEA Games 2011, ada sebanyak 11 rekor baru SEA Games yang terpecahkan dari kola renang Satdion Akuatik Jakabaring yang bertaraf internasional tersebut.

Pada hari pertama perlombaan cabang renang ada dua rekor baru SEA Games yang dipecahkan oleh atlet Thailand atas nama Nutthapong Ketin dinomor 200 meter gaya dada putra dengan waktu 2 menit 12,99 detik atau lebih cepat dari rekor lama 2 menit 13,42 detik atas namanya sendiri diciptakan pada 2009.

Rekor kedua yang tercatat pada perlombaan renang tersebut diraih oleh Li Tao dari Singapura pada nomor 100 meter gaya kupu-kupu waktu 58,84 detik dari rekor lama 59,24 detik atas nama dirinya diciptakan pada 2009.

Kemudian rekor ketiga dibuat perenang Thailand atas nama Natthanan Jungkrajang nomor 400 meter gaya ganti perorangan waktu 4 menit 50,88 detik lebih cepat dari rekor lama 4 menit 51,87 detik atas nama Jocelin Yeo asal Singapura pada 1999.

Rekor keempat pada nomor 100 meter gaya kupu-kupu atas nama perenang Vietnam, Quy Phuoc Hoang dengan waktu 53,07 detik sedangkan rekor lama 53,82 detik dibuat oleh Daniel Bego asal Malaysia pada 2009.

Rekor kelima diciptakan oleh perenang Indonesia Yessy Yosaputra pada nomor 200 meter gaya punggung putri waktu 2 menit 15,73 detik lebih cepat dari rekor lama atas nama Akkiko Thomson asal Filipina waktu 2 menit 16,76 detik pada 1993.

Kemudian rekor keenam dinomor 200 meter gaya kupu-kupu putra diciptakan oleh Joseph Issac Schooling dari Singapura waktu 1 menit 56,67 detik sedang rekor lama 2 menit 00,45 detik oleh James Walsh asal Filipina pada 2007.

Rekor ketujuh 50 meter gaya bebas putri diciptakan perenang Singapura atas nama Xiang QI Amanda Lim catatan waktu 25,77 detik sedang rekor lama 25,82 detik atas namanya sendiri dibuat pada 2009.

Rekor SEA Games cabang renang yang kedelapan diciptakan oleh perenang Indonesia I Gede Siman Sudartawa nomor 100 meter gaya punggung dengan waktu 55,59 detik lebih cepat dari rekor lama 56,16 detik yang dibuat Lim Keng Liat asal Malaysia pada 2001.

Rekor kesembilan pada nomor 100 meter gaya punggung putri oleh perenang Singapura atas nama Li Tao waktu 1 menit 02,11 detik sedang rekor lama 1 menit 02,96 detik dibuat atas namanya sendiri pada 2009.

Kemudian rekor baru kesepuluh diciptakan oleh perenang Nutthapong Ketin dari Thailand waktu 2 menit 02,90 detik sedang rekor lama 2 menit 03,54 detik dibuat Rattapong Sirisanot juga dari Thailand pada 2003.

Rekor kesebelas atau terakhir pada nomor 400 meter estafet gaya ganti putra diciptakan oleh tim Indonesia dengan waktu 3 menit 41,35 detik dari rekor lama juga atas nama tim Indonesia waktu 3 menit 41,72 detik pada 2009. 

antara

SEA Games XXVI:Renang Penuhi Target Enam Emas

Tim renang Indonesia berhasil capai  target yang ditetapkan KONI Pusat dalam perolehan medali pada SEA  Games XXVI/2011 dengan meraih enam medali emas, delapan perak dan 10 perunggu.      

Manajer tim enang Indonesia, Bambang Udaya  mengatakan di Palembang, Jumat, berkat dukungan semua pihak di Palembang, para perenang Indonesia bisa memenuhi target enam emas di SEA Games kali ini.      

"Ini suatu prestasi keberhasilan cabang renang Indonesia setelah sempat terpuruk pada SEA Games 2009 di Laos hanya menyumbangkan dua medali emas sedangkan pada SEA Games 2011 bisa capai enam emas," kata Bambang lagi.      

Selain menyumbangkan enam medali emas, cabang renang Indonesia yang bermaterikan perenang muda tersebut bisa memecahkan tiga rekor baru dari tujuh rekor baru SEA Games 2011 yang berlangsung di Stadion Akuatik Jakabaring.      

Kedepan dengan materi perenang muda Indonesia tersebut diharapkan dengan program pembinaan yang berkelanjutan bisa terus berjalan sehingga pada SEA Games 2013 di Myanmar dan SEA Games selanjutnya bisa terus bersinar prestasinya.      

"Saya berharap pemerintah melalui KONI Pusat bisa menyinambungkan program pembinaan renang untuk bisa mempertahankan suatu prestasi dan bahkan tidak menutup kemungkinan prestasinya bisa terus meningkat dari hasil SEA Games tahun ini," kata Bambang dengan nada optimistis.

Perenang putera berusia 17 tahun,  I Gede Siman Sudartawa menjadi bintang tim Indonesia kali ini. Siman, perenang asal Bali ini meraih empat emdali emas melalui nomor spesialisasinya 50 m, 100 m dan 200 m gaya punggung dan nomor estafet gaya bebas.

Di nomor estafet 4x100 meter gaya ganti, tim Indonesia berhasil memecahkan rekor baru SEA Games 2011 di nomor 400 meter gaya ganti estafet putra dengan waktu 3 menit 41,35 detik atau lebih cepat dari rekor lama 3 menit 41,72 detik juga atas nama tim Indonesia diciptakan pada 2009.      

Tim estafet Indonesia yang mempersembahkan emas terakhir untuk kontingen Merah Putih adalah I Gede Siman Sudartawa (gaya punggung), Indra Gunawan (gaya dada), Gleen Victor Susanto (kupu-kupu) dan perenang terkahir gaya bebas, Triady Fauzi.      

Pada final tersebut sempat terjadi kekeliruan karena pada papan pencatat waktu elektronik terjadi kesalahan catatan waktu tercepat di lintasan empat tim Singapura, sedangkan yang tercepat dan meraih medali emas adalah tim Indonesia yang memecahkan rekor baru SEA Games 2011.

Hasil lengkap perolehan medali cabang renang SEA Games XXVI/2011.
1. Singapura (17-9-13)
2. Thailand (8-7-5)
3. Indonesia (6-8-10)
4. Malaysia (5-10-3)
5. Vietnam (2-2-5)
6. Filipina (0-2-5)

FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup 2011: Le Clos (RSA) and Alshammar (SWE) overall winners

South Africa’s rising talent Chad Le Clos and veteran swimmer Therese Alshammar (SWE) are the overall winners of the FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup 2011, each receiving US$ 100,000 in prize money. 

Le Clos obtains the first World Cup crown of his career after collecting 31 medals from the 2011 series and a total 176 points. Japan’s Hidemasa Sano places second in the men’s overall ranking with 90 points and US$50,000 while German Marco Koch finishes in third with 65 points and US$30,000.

Alshammar successfully defended her 2010 title by adding a fourth World Cup victory to her incredible roll of honour. Her medal tally for the 2011 season is of 18 medals for a total 145 points. Melissa Franklin (USA) is second with 70 points and receives US$50,000. Korea’s Hye Ra Choi takes third with 60 points and wins US$30,000.

In Tokyo, Alshammar and Takeshi Matsuda (JPN) were the best performers of the final stage – 952 and 989 points in the 100m and 200m butterfly, respectively. The Swedish sprint queen also won gold in the same event over 50m. 

Japanese swimmers occupied the majority of the podiums with eleven victories in the men’s events and five among women. Facing such tough competitive field, Le Clos secured only one gold medal in the 200m freestyle.

Australia’s Kyle Richardson and Robert Hurley were triumphant in the 100m and 400m freestyle events, respectively, while teammates Cate Campbell, Blair Evans and Leiston Pickett collected four gold medals in the women’s events.

Other countries to medal in Tokyo were China, Colombia, Korea and New Zealand.

Siman Sudartawa ingin masuk 16 besar olimpiade

Perenang muda Indonesia I Gede Siman Sudartawa (16) yang telah memecahkan rekor baru SEA Games 2011 di nomor 100 meter gaya punggung putra menargetkan bisa masuk 16 besar Olimpiade 2012 di London.
Rekor baru 100 meter gaya punggung putra diciptakan Siman pada hari keempat perlombaan renang SEA Games di Stadion Akuatik Jakabaring, Palembang, yakni dengan waktu 55,59 detik lebih cepat dari rekor lama dibuat perenang Malaysia Lim Keng List waktunya 55,82 detik pada 2001.
"Rekor ini sudah diprediksi pelatih Albert dan Felix yang menanggani saya. Pada kejuaraan renang internasional di Singapura beberapa waktu lalu sebenarnya catatan waktu ini sudah tercapai namun tidak tercatat secara resmi sebagai rekor baru," kata Siman Sudartawa, Rabu.
Rekor baru resmi dicatat hanya pada ajang SEA Games, sehingga pada perlombaan sebelumnya ia harus tampil maksimal dan habis-habisan untuk mencapai waktu terbaik tersebut dan hasilnya Siman berhasil mengukir rekor baru itu.
"Siapapun yang telah mengukir suatu prestasi pastilah bangga dan dirinya juga berkeinginan akan memberikan yang terbaik lagi bagi bangsa ini," kata Siman putra asal Bali yang kini memperkuat Provinsi Riau pada PON 2012 nanti.
Menghadapi ajang besar dan bergengsi seperti 0limpiade 2012 di London 2012, menjadi tekad Siman untuk bisa memberikan yang terbaik bagi Indonesia.
"Usai SEA Games tahun ini dirinya akan bersiap lagi untuk menghadapi Olimpiade 2012 dan SEA Games 2013," kata Siman kelahiran 8 September 1994. (antara)

SEA GAMES 2011: Yessy pecahkan rekor renang SEA Games

Yessy Yosaputra mojang Priangan, memecahkan kebuntuan prestasi renang Indonesia setelah memecahkan rekor baru SEA Games XXVI/2011 di nomor 200 meter gaya punggung putri dengan waktu 2 menit 15,73 detik.
Prestasi luar biasa itu diciptakan Yessy setelah dirinya memecahkan rekor yang sejak 18 tahun lalu tidak pernah terpecahkan atas nama Akiko Thomson asal Philipina yang dibuatnya pada SEA Games 1993.
"Saya awalnya tidak percaya apa yang telah dibuat pada final tersebut dan setelah melihat catatan waktu baru percaya bahwa terpecahkan rekor baru SEA Games," kata Yessy.
Menjelang tampil difinal 200 meter gaya punggung Yessy mengakui, dirinya tidak memiliki firasat apa-apa akan terpecahkannya rekor SEA Games namun hanya berusaha tampil maksimal dan habis-habisan untuk bisa meraih medali.
"Saya hanya ditargetkan pelatih bisa meraih medali perak mengingat catatan waktu terbaik saingannya perenang Singapura Tao LI pada penyisihan catatan waktunya sangat baik," kata Yessy.
Namun berkat latihan dan penampilan yang maksimal difinal dirinya terus berjuang sekuat tenaga sehingga hasilnya benar-benar meraih emas pertama dan sekaligus memecahkan rekor baru SEA Games.
"Semua itu saya persembahkan yang terbaik untuk negara dipesta olahraga SEA Games kali ini," kata Yessy putra dari pasangan Yohannes dan Sumarni itu.
Setelah yakin dirinya telah memciptakan rekor baru SEA Games pada cabang renang nomor 200 meter gaya punggung putri, maka menjadi motivasi bagi dirinya sendiri untuk terus meningkatkan prestasinya.
Untuk meraih prestasi tersebut Yessy sejak empat tahun lalu hasil dari kejuaraan nasional langsung dipanggil oleh Pengurus PB PRSI untuk dipersiapkan ke SEA Games 2009 di Laos namun karena dirinya sakit tidak terpilih masuk dalam tim Indonesia ke SEA Games dua tahun lalu.
Pada SEA Games 2009 Yessy tidak masuk dalam tim renang Indonesia dan SEA Games kali ini merupakan yang pertama kalinya diikuti Yessy.
"SEA Games ini merupakan yang pertama kalinya saya ikuti dan dirinya berhasil meraih emas serta memecahkan rekor baru, itu prestasi yang terbaik saya persembahkan kepada negara," kata Yessy yang masih berusia 16 tahun itu.
Yessy juga merupakan atlet yang akan diikutsertakan pada lomba renang perairan terbuka di Jakarta pada SEA Games kali ini.
Selain turun pada renang, Yessy juga akan tampil di cabang renang perairan terbuka dengan dua nomor yang akan diikutinya yakni jarak 5.000 meter dan 10.000 meter pada SEA Games 2011.
Saat ini Yessy yang menjadi perenang spesialis gaya punggung nasional dan akan lebih berkonsentrasi lagi untuk menghadapi perlombaan internasional lainnya.
(ANT)

Le Clos (RSA) and Alshammar (SWE) again the best in Beijing

Chad Le Clos (RSA) and Therese Alshammar (SWE) were the best performers of the sixth meet of the FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup 2011, held in the “Water Cube” in Beijing (CHN) on November 8-9. Le Clos left the Chinese capital with seven medals, including six victories in the men’s 200m free, 100m and 200m butterfly and the three medley events (and a silver medal in the 100m free). He got the best performance of the meet thanks to his 200m fly win in 1:51.74 (931 points). The South African is now comfortably leading the overall ranking of the competition and almost assured the 2011 World Cup title, before the last leg in Tokyo (JPN).

Besides Le Clos, other highlights among men included the triumph of Kyle Richardson (AUS) in the 50m and 100m free, the win of his compatriot Christian Sprenger in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, and also the double victory of Xiaolei Sun (CHN) in the 50m and 100m backstroke.

In the women’s field, Therese Alshammar was the best in the 50m and 100m butterfly, getting the most valuable performance in Beijing with her win in the longer distance (55.76, 962 points). The Swede also reinforced her lead of the overall ranking and has solid chances to revalidate the 2010 title in Tokyo. Other multi-winners in Beijing included Australians Emma McKeon (50m and 100m free), Blair Evans (200m and 400m free), and Leiston Pickett (50m and 100m breast), Jing Zhao (CHN, 50m back and 100m IM) and Hye Ra Choi (KOR, 200m butterfly and 200m IM).  

swimmingwprld

SWIMMING WORLD CUP: SWC 2011, Beijing Day 2: South Africa's Chad Le Clos collects 6 gold and 1 silver medals

The South African swimmer bid a farewell to the Water Cube, gaining inspiration from a venue that hosted the last Olympic Games.  He is leaving Beijing with 7 medals in his luggage, 6 of them golden.  He is squarely in the lead of the men's FINA World Cup rankings and on pace to collect the $100,000 men's FINA World Cup overall series prize month in the final edition this weekend in Tokyo.

"I'm very happy with my performances in Beijing.  Tonight was a tougher day for me even though the events were shorter and easier.  I'm definitely pleased that this meet is over. I had a 2 1/2 hour nap today and I woke up delirious.  It was hard to get up and race today, but I'm pleased with 3 gold medals tonight and to know the end isn't too far off.  I have one more stop in Tokyo and then I can pick up my check for winning the FINA World Cup."
 
"When I was younger I was inspired by Terence Parkin, the South African Olympian who medalled in the Sydney Olympic Games.  He was coached by Graham Hill who is also my coach, so I have a connection to him. Terence is deaf and yet he raced and beat many able bodied athletes in the Olympic Games."

"I'm especially pleased with my silver medal in the 100m free yesterday.  It was the only time that I raced the 100m freestyle but my time was a PB and only .01 second away from (my 7th) gold medal.  Any athlete is likely to be disappointed with a race that wasn't his best.  Hopefully I can beat him Kyle (Richardson of Australia) the next time we race. My best race of the FINA World Cup series was the 200m fly in Berlin.  I swam a 1:50.15, only 1 second off of the world record."

By his own count the South African has collected 22 gold medals during the 6 FINA World Cup events this season plus 6 silvers and 2 bronze medals.  He failed to medal in only two events during the 6 FINA World Cups he has raced in.  He swam outside of the medals for 4th place finishes in Moscow in the 100 fly and 4th in the 200 individual medley in Berlin.  Le Clos beat Michael Phelps in the 100 fly in the Moscow World Cup event, the South African posted a 50.97 time and Phelps finished 5th in 51.13.

"Honestly the reason that I am doing all these World Cup events is to prepare me for the opportunity to race Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte who swim back to back events all the time.  I'm really excited to race these great athletes.  It will be a challenge to race against them and to try to beat them."

"I can't say what might happen in the future, but to be mentioned in the same sentence as Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Ian Thorpe is a real honor for me."
  
A recap of the Day Two Finals at the Beijing Water Cube:

Men's 1500m Freestyle:  In an all China final, Hao Yun won the gold medal in a time of 14:40.15 followed by Dai Jun at 14:42.97 and Zhong Guixu quite some distance back finishing in 15:12.08.

Women's 100m Freestyle:  The final included 5 Australian but it was Emma McKeon who repeated as the FINA World Cup champion, less than a week after her victory in Singapore.  McKeon's swim of 53.09, wasn't as fast as the 52.41 in Singapore but it was fast enough for her first gold medal of the Beijing series.  Cate Campbell (AUS) finished second in 53.13, improving her time and position from the Singapore event.  Tang Yi of China was third in 53.28   Libby Trickett finished 5th in 53.96, her first swim under 54.0 seconds since her comeback.  She was very complimentary of her teammate:  "There is a little pressure on Emma but she handles it beautifully.  McKeon:  "It's pretty good to win a medal today. I'm happy with that swim  I do still get pretty nervous, but I am getting used to it.  I like racing.  The level is very competitive here and we are lucky to be racing against the best Chinese athletes and to be getting some great racing experience.  This is part of my preparation for our Olympic selection event in March." 

Men's 200m Freestyle:  Earning his first gold medal of the evening, Chad Le Clos bettered his winning time from the Singapore edition finishing at 1:43.62, ahead of Jiang Haiqi of China (1:43.89) and Kyle Richardson of Australia (1:45.21).  Le Clos finished 2nd to world record holder Paul Biederman in the Stockholm and Berlin events

Women's 50m Breaststroke:  Leiston Picket repeated her gold medal performance with a time faster than she swam last weekend in Singapore, 30.23.  Second place went to Kim Hye Jin of Korea in 30.63 and Australia's Olivia Halicek, the silver medalist in Singapore in this event swam a 30.98 for the bronze medal.  Picket: "I really wanted to go sub 30 tonight but i just didn't get there but i will still take the win.
that gives me something to work on and a bit of a goal for Tokyo
 
Men's 100m Breaststroke:  Christian Springer repeated as the champion of Asian series posting a 57.99, just .08 second slower than the gold medal he collected in Singapore.  Li Xiayan of China was second in57.99 and Sprenger's Australian teammate Brenton Rickard was 3rd, 58.21.  Sprenger:  "I wasn't feeling as ready today as I was in Singapore, but the .14 second margin was just enough to take the win.  It was more about nailing my starts and finishes and having something left at the end of the race.  I have tried a few new things here and in Singapore, some techniques that we worked on in practice, and they seem to be working for me. In the short course pool the start and turns takes on a greater importance, but this event in long course can be more exhausting as we spend more time above the water.  It's special to race in the Water Cube, but the opportunity to race in London will be quite nice too.  Racing here gives me more confidence. 

Women's 400m Individual Medley:  China's Zhou Min earned a gold medal for her country in the winning time of 4:30.66.  Japan's Miyu Otsuka earned the silver medal swimming 4:31.43 followed by Australia's Ellen Fullerton in a time of 4:33.19.

Men's 100m Butterfly:  South Africa's Chad Le Closs earned his second gold medal of the evening posting a time of 50.93 beating Australian Christopher Wright, 51.07 and Chen Weiwu of China, 51.41.  Le Clos and Wright swam to gold and silver medal finishes in Singapore last Saturday, Le Closs was 50.63 last weekend"  "I just thought I could go out quite hard but my time was a little slower than I swam in Singapore."

Women's 100m Backstroke:  China took the gold and the bronze medals in this event.  Gao Chang's winning time was 57,22 and teammate Zhou Yanxin stopped the clock at 57,78..Rachel Goh of Australia was second in 57..40, a 57.30 swim in Singapore earned her a gold medal.

Men's 50m Backstroke:  Sun Xiaolel of China won the sprint backstroke title in 23.34.  Cheng Faiyi of China was silver in 23.89 and Omar Pinzon of Colombia settled for the bronze medal in 23.98, considerably faster than his bronze medal swim last weekend in Singapore.  Sun:  "Last December I placed 2nd in the FINA World Short Course Championships (his time was 23.13) and that was my fastest result.  This is just practice for me, my main focus must be on the long course in the 100m event if I want to compete in the London Olympic Games."

Women's 200m Butterfly:  Choi Hye Ra of Korea  bettered her Singapore result posting another gold medal performance at 2:03.65 in this event.  The silver medal went to Sweden's Anna Martina Granstroem who posted 2:05.02, faster than her Singapore bronze medal result.  Australia's Jessica Schipper swam 2:05.89 for the bronze medal.  Liu Zige the reigning World Record Holder  placed 4th in a time of 2:06.77

Men's 200m Individual Medley:  Chad Le Clos fell behind Austrian Markus Rogan at the 150m mark but closed the gap with a 26.06 final leg to handily defeat his southern California training partner.  Le Clos hit the finish pads at 1:55.04, Rogan's silver medal swim was 1:56.33 followed by China's Liu Weijia in 1:56.61.  Le Clos won this event in Dubai, Moscow and Singapore, and he placed 2nd in Stockholm and 4th in Berlin.

Women's 400m Freestyle:  Blair Evans set an Australian record in this event, shaving almost 3 seconds off her gold medal performance last weekend in Singapore.  Aussie teammate Kylie Palmer finished second again in 4;03.04, followed by Chen Shiyun of China who earned the bronze medal in a time of 4:04.73  Evans: "It's my first Australian record, I'm an amazing swim for me.  I knew what I had to do today.  It was a little rough for me this morning after last night's 200.  This is our hard training phase but I now know that I have a lot more in me.  I always learn something from my fracases.  I gained a lot of self belief.   I know that the training I have been doing is working.  The short course pool isn't my strong suit but today's race was awesome from start to finish.  I went a little bit faster than I expected.  My coach has been very supportive of me especially coming off of a hard spell last year."

Men's 50m Freestyle:  The 21.75 second swim in the sprint free by Kyle Richardson of Australia wasn't faster than his Singapore result, but it was fast enough for a gold medal, an upgrade over the silver he earned last weekend in the first Asian leg of the World Cup.  Shi Yang of China swam 22.00 for the silver medal, an upgrade from the bronze he collected last weekend.  His Chinese teammate Shi Tengfei swam 22.03 to earn the bronze medal.  Richardson:  My performances have been pretty solid.  this is tough racing coming here without a rest or a taper, but I know that I certainly have more to give.  Things are going well for me at the moment.  It's always good to win.  the race was solid, a little slower than in Singapore but I do hope to swim faster still.  I have learned that flying and racing is tough!  I was not part of the 2008 Olympics so this is my first time racing at the Water Cube.  It's an impressive venue and I get goose bumps to think that there was an Olympic Games in this pool.  I'm back in the pool for some hard training as soon as I get home to Australia"

Women's 200m Breaststroke:  Kanako Watanabe repeated as the Asian series gold medalist for Japan,  first in 2:19.05 followed by her teammate Keiko Fukudome, 2:20.36.  Kim Hye Jin of Korea was third in 2:20.59.

Women's 100m Individual Medley:  Jiai Liuyang golden touch was at 50.50, faster than her 1:00.84 swim last weekend that netted her a silver medal in Singapore.  Her teammate Zhao Jing was second at 59.50.  Australia's Olivia Halicek who swam under the minute mark to earn a gold in Singapore swam 1:01.01 for the bronze medal this evening.

Men's 200m Backstroke:  Colombia's Omar Pinzon's new personal best time of 1:50.46 blew away his competitors from an outside lane.  Kazuki Watanabe of Japan swam 1:52.20 for the silver medal.  China's Sun Xiaolel touched the wall at 1:52.36 for the bronze medal.  Pinzon:  "Did I expect to swim well?  I did and I didn't but it's my best time by almost 2 seconds.  I'm very pleased.  I never set limits for myself.  I could have swum another 200m right after the finish, I had so much energy.  I was a little nervous racing against some great Chinese and Japanese athletes.  I had the advantage of racing in the outside lane where some people could not see me.  I came home like a "tough sucker".  I will be training at altitude in Colombia and them I am back to Los Angeles where I am training with Coach Dave Salo in preparation for the London Olympic Games."

Women's 50m Butterfly:  Theresa Alshammar of Sweden nailed the touch pad at 25.40 for a repeat gold medal in this event, having slipped from her 25.01 performance that won the event last weekend.  Lu Ying of China posted a 25.52 for the silver medal followed by Jiao Liuyang's bronze result of 25.76.  'Alshammar:  "I always look to see what I can improve.  There are always heaps of things to improve.  It's very nice to come away with a good swim in the 50 fly, it's a favorite event of mine.  The Chinese swimmers are strong in this event and I am pleased to swim one of my best races against Lu Yin.

"I'm just focused on racing here, but I am aware that this event is run and managed very well.  I competed here last year and if Beijing hosts it again in the future I will be back.  I only hope that next year the entire Chinese national team is racing here.  China has so many strong swimmers and it would be great to have all of them in my races.  Do I think racking keeps me younger, I wish!  My coach has a plan for me through the Olympic Games.  In a typical year I race more than 100 times.  A completion is great preparation for the next important race.

fina

SWIMMING WORLD CUP Thorpe posts 54.35 in 100 butterfly prelim swim at the "Water Cube"

Thorpe split a 25.29 at the 50 and stopped the clock at 54.35, finishing 13th out of a field of 27 athletes in the men's 100m butterfly. On November 5th at the recent Singapore edition the Australian Olympic legend split 25.27 and posted a final time of 54.09; he finished 11th out of 26 athletes in the same event.

Following the prelim session of the Beijing edition of the FINA/ARENA Swimming World Cup, Ian Thorpe met with the media throng that had come to watch him swim and to get his reaction about his own comeback. Here's Ian Thorpe in his own words:

"I did this race [100m fly] in Singapore as well and it was about the same time. At this stage of the composition I'm pleased. Short course racing has always been tough for me. It's much more difficult for me than for some of the short course specialists. I'm working on my skills in the short course pool."

"In Tokyo I am likely to swim the 100m individual medley, the 100m fly and probably the 100m free and then it's back to training. I expect to be training about 30 hours a week. After these World Cup events I will now be able to attach the feeling of racing to the work that I am doing in training, marrying the two things together."

"I think most of it is getting my head back into racing. I'm working on rekindling the emotional attachment that I once had for the sport and working to get those feelings back."

"My adjustment has been easier because I accepted the fact that I would not be winning all of these races. I have prepared myself for this. It would be preferable if I had this level of media attention for the races that I will be winning. I'm grateful that their is interest in my comeback."

"It's not that hard to get your body back in shape. I'm physically fit for training and I'd like to believe that I am physically fit for racing as well. Now I just need to get my head into it. I'm much more relaxed before I swim now and technically I am able to break my races down and I know that I am improving. I'm comfortable getting reading for my events and I'm just getting used to racing again."

fina

SWIMMING WORLD CUP, Beijing Day 1: South Africa's Chad Le Clos earns three gold medals

South Africa's Chad Le Clos made four trips to the medals podium during the first

evening of the Beijing edition of the FINA/ARENA World Cup collecting three gold's and a silver in the 100m free, an event he swum for the first time in World Cup competition. The 19 year old is the current leader in the men's FINA World Cup rankings. Tonight's gold medal collection included championship titles in the 400m individual medley, 200m butterfly and the 100m individual medley.

When he finally got a break from racing and medal ceremonies Le Clos reflected on the motivation that he gained from the five medals that he earned at the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics in Singapore. "It was my first exposure to international competition and I was really nervous, but I can still remember every one of those races." At the Youth Olympic he won the 200m individual medley and would bring home three silver medals in individual events and a relay bronze.

Just weeks later Le Clos would go on to win the 200m butterfly and the 400m individual medley events at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. His time in the 200m butterfly was a new Commonwealth Games Record. Le Clos is the reigning world champion in this event collecting the gold medal in Dubai last December at the FINA Short Course World Championships.

At the 2011 FINA Long Course World Championships Le Clos finished fifth in the 200m Fly, 13th in the 100m Fly & 10th in the 4x100m Medley Relay. In September Le Clos won five gold medals at the 2011 All Africa Games and one silver medal at the 2011 All Africa Games.

"I set goals for times that I wanted to achieve at these World Cup events without knowing who I would be competing against. World Cup competition was intended as a training exercise for me. I need to get used to racing like this and to prepare for multiple events and also South African relays that I hope to be a part of. I look at Phelps and Lochte and see how they swim multiple events and I need to prepare like them if I am going to challenge them at the Olympics."

"I had a really strong start in Dubai winning six events and at that moment I decided that I should set another goal for a top-3 finish in the FINA World Cup rankings. I'm really pleased with where I stand in the FINA rankings. The prize of $100,000 offers me a great deal of motivation to race well here and to finish strong in Japan."

"I'm really happy to be racing at the Water Cube. I was hoping that Ian Thorpe would be in the finals, but I understand that he's just making his comeback. In South Africa where swimming isn't a mainstream sport, everyone knows who Ian Thorpe is. I have been asked if it was true that he was coming out of retirement. It's great for our sport to have Ian back and hopefully he will be in London."

Thorpe swam in the preliminaries earlier today finishing 15th in the 100m freestyle, 50.21 and just missing the finals by placing 9th in the 100m individual medley in a time of 56.70.

The top women's performance was from Sweden's Therese Alshammar who earned a gold medal in the 100m butterfly scoring 962 FINA points with her time of 55.76. The Swedish Olympian finished second in the 50m freestyle. Alshammar is the women's leader in the FINA World Cup rankings after five editions have been contested. "I believe that I can get a lot better by racing hard as often as I can. I have raced at all but the first world cup. I'm pleased that what I do is working and pleased that I am still able to swim fast. People often ask how I can swim fast at my age and I tell them that age is not an issue. I believe that you have to work very hard for a long, long time. In that sense my age is an advantage because i have been doing exactly that. To win an Olympic gold medal is an easy dream for every athlete, but it is one of the goals that I am working at, not dreaming about."

Another Australian Olympian making her comeback in the Asian series of the FINA World Cup is Libby Trickett. Trickett finished 7th in the 100m butterfly. "I'm happy to say this was a faster swim than my time in Singapore and this was a faster field too. It's been tough racing while I'm tired and it's hard to get used to this, but hopefully tomorrow I will have a better swimming in the 50 free. What's required is patience, and honesty I'm not a very patient person. I want to be swimming faster and I want to be swimming fast! Realistically what's important is how I swim in March at our national selection event and it's my goal to qualify for London. Being back in Beijing is fantastic. I have many amazing memories of this pool, some good and some bad, but the Water Cube holds a special spot in my heart."

The Beijing World Cup is the second leg of the Singapore-Beijing-Tokyo series and it is the second time that the FINA World Cup has been held at the Water Cube, the venue for the swimming events of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Recap of Day One of the FINA/ARENA World Cup - Beijing Water Cube:

Women's 800m Freestyle: China's Zhou Lili won the first event of the meet in a time of 8:18.79, more than ten seconds faster than here swim in the morning preliminaries. In an event where three Chinese swimmers captured the medals Cao Shiyue finished second at 8:30.94 and Liu Jing placed third in 8:31.07.

Men's 100m Freestyle: Kyle Richardson of Australia just out touched South African Chad Le Clos to earn his first World Cup gold medal covering the 100m distance in 47.38. Le Clos who is leading the FINA World Cup rankings swam the 100m free for the first time finishing .01 behind Richardson. Jiang Haiqi of China was third at 48.00. Post-race, Richardson said: "I didn't feel great but it's a win and it's nice to get one of those early. I was trying to work on the skills we work on in practice. It's good to get in as much racing as possible over these three World Cup events. There's a lot of competition in the 100m free, it's both good and bad, but I guess the faster the field, the faster I can hope to be."

Women's 200m Freestyle: Australia's Blair Evans repeated as the gold medalist in this event touching the wall in 1:54.81. The Commonwealth Games relay gold medalist dropped more than half a second in the event from her time in Singapore. Australia swept the medals podium with teammates Merindah Dingjan and Kylie Palmer collecting the silver and bronze medals. Evans won both the 200m and the 400m events in Singapore: "It's great to get up and race and it's good to get a gold medal early in the meet. In Singapore I realized that I had a strong back end. I was looking for something close to my best time and this time is very close to the PB (personal best) that I set at the Short Course Worlds in Dubai last December. These World Cup meets are a fresh start to our racing season although short course isn't usually my strong suit. My goal was to build through the three meets and I’m getting faster as I go so everything seems to be on track. It's a good opportunity to practice the skills that I worked on during our heavy training before these meets."

Men's 50m Breaststroke: Christian Sprenger won the sprint breast event in a time of 26.64 beating Li Xiyan of China and his Australian teammate Brenton Rickard. Sprenger’s time was 0.03 of a second quicker than he swam in Singapore last Friday for gold: "We brought a big team to test the waters at these world cups and it's really important to get some good racing in. I was lucky at the finish with a good touch. I'm just practicing good racing skills under pressure."

Women's 100m Breaststroke: Leiston Pickett of Australia set a personal best time to win the event in 1:05.49 defeating Kim Hye Kin of Korea and Ji Liping of China. Pickett: "I'm pretty happy with this medal, it's a PB (personal best) for me and I'm happy anytime I swim a PB. I'm hoping to swim faster in Tokyo after getting a little more rest. We have been training really hard right before leaving for Singapore. It's my goal to qualify for a spot on our Olympic team, I'm sure that it's everyone's dream. I'm thrilled to swim well at this pool. I didn't swim in the 2008 Olympics so it's a great honor to swim here."
 
Men's 400m Individual Medley: Le Clos won this event for the fourth time, his time this evening was 4:07.35 bettering Austria's Markus Rogan and Zhang Lie of China.

Women's 100m Butterfly: Therese Alshammar of Sweden won in a time of 55.76 finishing ahead of Chinese swimmers Lu Ying and Jiao Liuyang.

Men's 100m Backstroke: Sui Xiaolei of China 50.99, Cheng Felyi 51.66 and Kosuke Hagino of Japan 51.76 climbed the podium. On his victory, Sui said: "This time was my personal best and I had expected to win."

Women's 50m Backstroke: Zhao Jing of China was the evening's champion finishing at 26.52 ahead of Australia's Rachel Goh, 26.60 and Geo Chang, 26.71 of China. Goh’s time of 26.60 was her best of the series so far, but a touch behind Jing from China who took gold in 26.52.

Men's 200m Butterfly: Chad Le Clos earned his second gold medal and his fifth title in this event during the World Cup series soundly defeating Christopher Wright of Australia, 1:53.32 and Chen Weiwu of China, 1:53.58.

Women's 200m Individual Medley: Korea's Choi Hye Ra touched the wall in 2:07.72 finishing ahead of China's Li Jiaxing and Zhou Min.

Men's 400m Freestyle: It was an all Chinese field except for Australian Robert Hurley. The Australian controlled his race to perfection to win in a time of 3:41.93. The Australian reeled in China’s Hao Yun (3:42.13) who went out over the first 100m a second under world record pace. Whispering "it was never in doubt, but I worried at one point that he might get away. I took the first 200m out easy thinking that I would chase him down at the end. I haven't raced in World Cup events for a few years but I'm glad that I am here to have an opportunity to get up and race and to bring a gold medal back home for Australia."

Women's 50m Freestyle: Australia's Emma McKeon snatched a victory away from veteran Therese Alshammar of Sweden in the sprint freestyle event in a time of 24.15. The Swedish Olympian earned the silver with her time of 24.16 and Australian teammate Cate Campbell collected the bronze medal, 24.26. McKeon, the 17-year-old sprinter, who made her senior debut at the World Short Course Championships in Dubai last year, was just 0.01 of a second too quick for seasoned short course swimmer Therese Alshammar from Sweden in the women’s 50m freestyle, winning in a new personal best time of 24.15.

“I didn't expect to go that fast tonight so it was a good surprise,” said McKeon. "My favoured event is the 100m freestyle so to get a win in the 50m is a bonus. It was nice to have a lot of teammates in the pool with me. I was happy with my time, today I focused on working on my dive because these are different starting blocks than those that I am used to. The world cups are part of my preparation for fast racing and then it's back home to train for our Australian selection event for the Olympic Games."
 
Men's 200m Breaststroke: Marco Koch of Germany won in a time of 2:04.73 bettering Naoya Tomita of Japan, 2:04.74 and Brenton Rickard of Australia, 2:06.17. On his performance, Koch said: "It was a very hard race and I'm glad that I won. I tried to go easy on the first 100m making sure that I could come back hard. I'm planning to swim even faster in Japan this weekend and I hope that I can make it to the final in a very fast field."

Men's 100m Individual Medley: South Africa's Chad Le Clos racing in lane 1 collected his third gold medal of the evening posting a 52.89 and bettering Kyle Richardson of Australia and Sui Xiaolei of China. The South African and the Australian stood in the same position on the medals podium during last weekend's Singapore World Cup, both swimming faster than the times the posted in Singapore. Le Clos said: "The World Cup series has been great for me and there is one more stage to go in Japan this weekend. I entered the World Cup event intending them to be part of my preparations for racing long course. I've been working on my starts and my turns during these events and trying to sharpen my skills."

Women's 200m Backstroke: Melissa Ingram of New Zeland collected a World Cup gold medal with her winning time of 2:03.00 bettering China's silver and bronze medallists Zhou Yanxin and You Yige. Ingram's margin of victory was .01 of a second. She finished third in Singapore in a time of 2:05.19: "I'm really happy with my race and the result tonight. It's my second PB and it's also a National Record. I'm also happy that I swam faster than I swam in Singapore. It's just amazing to be back at the Water Cube where I swam in the Olympics. I started my preparation for the London Olympics several months ago and I have been working hard to be ready for the Games."

Men's 50m Butterfly: Shi Feng of China bested Sam Ashby of Australia and teammate Chen Welwu in the sprint butterfly event, Feng's winning time was 23.47, far off his PB time of 22.92 in a speed suit. Ashy placed fourth in the Singapore World Cup and dropped .07 second to collect a silver medal. Shi Feng said after his race: "I just swam as fast as I could, I didn't think about my competitors. It's a very short race and you really don't have time to think about the race."

fina

Singapura Ingin Dominasi Renang

Tim renang Singapura ke SEA Games XXVI mendapat suntikan moral dari legenda renang Australia, Ian Thorpe.

Peraih medali emas Olimpiade 2004 ini meminta 17 atlet renang Singapura bertanding dengan sebaiknya di SEA Games XXVI yang akan berlangsung di Jakarta dan Palembang, 11-22 November 2011.

"Selamat berlomba. Ingat-lah bahwa kalian berlomba bukan hanya untuk diri sendiri tetapi buat seluruh negara. Buatlah mereka bangga," kata Thorpe.

Thorpe tengah berada di Singapura untuk mengikuti seri Piala Dunia.  Ia lolos ke final 200 meter gaya ganti, namun gagal di nomor 100 meter gaya bebas.

Dua tahun lalu di SEA Games Laos, Singapura menjadi juara umum dengan 14 medali emas, delapan perak dan 10 perunggu. Mereka mengatasi Malaysia dengan 8-5-6 dan Filipina dengan 4-6-1.

Tim renang Singapura kini diperkuat Tao Li yang meraih medali perak 50 meter gaya kupu-kupu di seri kejuaraan dunia, Sabtu malam. Terdapat juga Rainer Ng, peraih medali perak 100 meter gaya punggung Olimpiade Remaja 2010, juara SEA Games 2009 Amanda Lim serta perenang muda Joseph Schooling yang menempati peringkat lima kejuaraan dunia yunior di Peru, Agustus lalu

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Pembukaan SEAG akan tampilkan kejayaan Kerajaan Sriwijaya

Upacara Pembukaan SEA Games XXVI di Stadion Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring, Palembang, Jumat (11/11) akan menampilkan sajian tarian menceritakan Kejayaan Kerajaan Sriwijaya sebagai penguasa maritim di kawasan Asia Tenggara, kata koreografer tari, Alex Hassim. 

"Akan ada beragam tarian pada acara pembukaan, salah satunya adalah menceritakan kejayaan kerajaan Sriwijaya dengan mengambil tema Kingdom of Sriwijaya," kata Alex di Palembang, Senin.
Menurut dia, tarian itu menceritakan kebesaran Kerajaan Sriwijaya sebagai penguasa daerah maritim di kawasan Asia Tenggara pada masa silam. 

"Nanti tariaannya akan menggambarkan asal muasal berdirinya Kota Palembang, dari masa kerajaan hingga tercipta bangunan-bangunan seperti sekarang ini," kata dia.
Dia melanjutkan, untuk itu pihaknya membuat miniatur kapal layar dengan dilengkapi tiga layar raksasa akan ditarik masuk ke lapangan dalam tarian dengan durasi 10-12 menit itu. 

"Kapal layar utama beserta 11 kapal kecil lainnya, telah berada di Stadion Jakabaring sejak beberapa hari lalu. Dan kini sedang disempurnakan ornamen dan hiasan pendukungnya," kata dia.
Dia menambahkan, tarian yang ditampilkan tidak dapat secara lengkap menceritakan sejarah Kerajaan Sriwijaya, karena terdapat empat tarian lainnya yang juga akan ditampilkan. 

"Itulah digunakan kapal sebagai menunjang tampilan, karena dengan adanya kapal maka suasana kejayaan Kerajaan Sriwijaya akan tergambar. Apalagi, kapal yang ditampilkan berukuran besar, dan merupakan kapal layar," ujar dia. 

Dia mengungkapkan, kapal Sriwijaya itu akan masuk ke lapangan dan langsung disambut oleh ratusan penari yang dibayangkan sebagai rakyatnya. 

"Banyak penari akan dilibatkan, nanti ada yang berperan sebagai pengawal kerajaan. Selain itu akan dibuat juga miniatur Sungai Musi yang membelah Kota Palembang," ujar dia. 

Dia menambahkan, peserta tarian itu berjumlah 400 orang yang sebagian besar berasal dari pelajar dan mahasiswa Kota Palembang. 

"Selain pelajar ada pula anggota TNI dari Yon Zikon 12 Palembang sekitar 200 orang akan berperan untuk melakukan gerakan sulit, seperti mengangkat properti tarian yang berat," ujar dia.
Menurut dia, selain merekrut penari dari Sumsel, pihaknya juga mendatangkan 40 orang penari dari Jakarta. 

"Latihan telah dilakukan sejak 6 Oktober lalu. Memang waktunya sangat mepet untuk persiapan sebuah pagelaran skala internasional, namun tidak usah saling menyalahkan, yang terpenting dapat menyuguhkan totonan menarik pada pembukaan SEA Games nanti," ujar dia. . 

Penanggung jawab acara pembukaan dan penutupan SEA Games, Helmi Yahya mengatakan, tarian dibawakan ribuan penari itu akan dilakukan di lapangan Stadion Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring yang telah ditutupi kanvas. . 

"Konsep acara menggunakan elekrik kanvas, yang merupakan pertama kali di Indonesia. Pertunjukkan seperti itu telah digunakan di seluruh dunia untuk event-event berskala internasional seperti pembukaan Olimpiade dan Asia Games," ujar Helmi. 

Menurut dia, eletrik kanvas itu dipinjam dari Australia, sementara untuk perakitan kembang api dengan mendatangkan tenaga ahli dari Amerika Serikat. 

"Pembukaan nanti kurang lebih akan menyamai Asian Games di Beijing tahun 2010, karena memang berkiblat ke sana. Acara akan dibuat spektakuler dan megah," kata dia.

antara

Stadion akuatik paling banyak dikunjungi publik

Stadion Akuatik di Komplek Olahraga Jakabaring, Palembang, Sumatera Selatan, paling banyak dikunjungi masyarakat dibandingkan arena olahraga lain.

Ketua Komite Pembangunan SEA Games (SEAG) XXVI Rizal Abdullah mengatakan, desain yang megah dan sangat berbeda  mengundang masyarakat untuk mengunjungi stadion akuatik di Jakabaring Sport City itu.
"Mungkin karena bentuknya yang lain daripada yang lain, sehingga membuat penasaran masyarakat," ujar Rizal.
Rizal sendiri mengaku tertarik pada bangunan Stadion Akuatik itu karena menyerupai kepompong.
"Dari kejauhan saja sudah indah terlihat, apalagi dari dalam akan bertambah kekaguman. Rasanya tidak percaya, Palembang memiliki stadion semegah itu," kata Kepala Dinas PU Cipta Karya Sumsel ini.

Dia menilai pembangunan stadion akuatik adalah paling riskan karena proyeknya besar dan waktu penyelesaian pembangunannya sangat mepet. 

"Tapi, akhirnya bisa selesai, sehingga saya merasa lega sekali, apalagi kini sudah bisa dikunjungi masyarakat seperti layaknya suatu kegiatan wisata," ujar dia.

Kemudian, peringkat kedua yang sering dikunjungi masyarakat adalah Wisma atlet Jakabaring, disusul pelataran Stadion Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring, arena ski air, dan taman di depan Danau Jakabaring yang menjadi bagian muka arena menembak dan voli pantai.

Guna menjaga aset Pemprov Sumsel itu dan hal-hal tidak diinginkan, pemerintah setempat menetapkan jam malam kunjungan pada Komplek Olahraga Jakabaring.

"Beberapa arena pertandingan telah siap pakai, dan harus dijaga jangan sampai rusak oleh tangan-tangan jahil," katanya.


antara

SWIMMING WORLD CUP: Thorpe: "I am more nervous than I usually am"

Australian swimming icon Ian Thorpe revealed a little about his expectations at a press conference held today in Singapore in sight of the fifth leg of the FINA/Arena Swimming World Cup taking place from November 4-5. This will be the first competition for Thorpe since 2006. Here are some extracts:

"It's not going to be extraordinary and it's not going to be horrible. That's quite a vast range, so I expect to hit something in the middle there. I have to remind myself that I am a guy who hasn't swum for five years. I forget that sometimes and I think other people do as well. This is an important step for what I am trying to do next year. This is a starting point."

"I feel like this has taken forever to come, but also the time has flown, the time to prepare for a competition again. So it's mixed emotions the whole time. I don't think I would have been able to prepare any differently for this today. I think I was always going to feel this way and I realise for me, it's the last part of getting on with training and being a swimmer again."
"I think if we want to talk about rivalry, my biggest rival is time. I'm not the kind of person who races off other people. In competition, I'm not the person who gets pumped up to try to beat someone else. It doesn't motivate me. It's always going to be an issue around time."
"For me, getting up and racing against some people who swim better than I do, it's a good test and it will help me in training. It will help me to refamiliarise myself with racing and realise where my limitations are at the moment."

"In not doing freestyle, there's a lot of work I need to do on my freestyle, it's not race-ready yet, it's close and I think I'm swimming pretty well in freestyle. But I'm comfortable that I'm not doing it. I know what's happening at training and we will be able to do some freestyle pretty soon and it's something that I will be able to look forward to as well."
"I think I'd get just as much out of the fly or the IM as I would out of any freestyle at the moment. I know what I have been doing in training, so does my coach, and we're content with where I'm at at this moment."

"I am more nervous than I usually am, but I am excited as well. I was equally as excited as I was nervous but, as it's drawn a bit closer, I'm getting more nervous. I feel like once I have a few swims, that will dissipate and I will be able to get on with racing."

"I came to terms with failure when I started this. I looked at it and thought, you know what, chances are you are probably going to fail at this. I was comfortable with that fact and if you can become comfortable with that, you can actually accomplish anything and you kind of set yourself free to just get on with it, because that becomes a barrier for yourself and it still is the most likely outcome. And frankly, I don't care. I like what I'm doing, I like the training that I am doing, I love that I have this opportunity again, I am very grateful for that. In this entire process of training and now racing, it's been fantastic."

"I did the right thing in 2006, it was the right thing for me then, and it was the right thing for now. If I didn't have time away from the sport, I wouldn't have swum well and secondly, I think I would have been really bitter at this sport which I don't want to feel that way. The way I felt about swimming from then to now is a stark contrast. I needed that decision to help me do that now." (fina)

Ian Thorpe Mampu Lolos ke Final

Perenang legendaris Australia, Ian Thorpe masih mampu lolos ke final 100 meter gaya ganti Piala Dunia renang di Singapura, Jumat (4/11).

Thorpe menampati posisi dua di heatnya dengan catatan waktu 56.74 detik. Ia berada di belakang Omar Pizon dari Kolombia dan menempati perenang terbaik keenam yang lolos ke final.

"Saya senang untuk berenang lagi. Saya agak sedikit gugup. Saya tidak bisa mengingat lomba ini sehingga tidak tahu apakah saya tampil baik atau tidak," kata Thorpe.

"Saya menempati nomor dua di heat. Namun saya mendapat kesempatan untuk tampil di final malam ini. Saya perlu memperbaiki beberapa hal. Ini lomba pertama saya," kata Thorpe yang mundur pada 2006 lalu. Ia memutuskan kembali berlatih pada Februari 2011.

Perenang Australia, Markus Rogan mencatat waktu tercepat dengan catatan waktu 55.25 detik sementara Pinzon berada di posisi ketiga dengan 55.81 detik.

Thorpe tampak gugup saat menandapat sambutan dari para penonton saat berjalan menuju start-block.  "Sepuluh menit sebelum lomba saya merasa tidak keruan. Namun semuanya membaik saat saya berjalan  namun tetap saja saya merasa gugup," kata Thorpe yang telah berusia 29 tahun. (kompas)

SEA Games 2011: Elsa Yakin, Renang Koleksi Banyak Medali

Banyaknya medali emas yang diperebutkan dari cabang renang pada SEA Games XXVI 2011, membuat mantan perenang putri andalan Indonesia, Elsa Manora Nasution optimistis, renang bisa menyumbangkan banyak emas dalam event dua tahun itu.

Dalam SEA Games kali ini, cabang Renang menyediakan 38  emas untuk diperebutkan. Elsa yang turut hadir dalam reuni akbar mantan atlet yang berlangsung di halaman kantor Kementrian Negera Pemuda dan Olahraga, secara terbuka juga menyampaikan dukungannya kepada semua atlet yang akan bertanding di ajang SEA Games nanti.

Secara khusus, Elsa juga menyoroti cabang renang menurutnya berpotensi mendulang banyak medali dibanding dua tahun silam, di Laos. “Saya yakin, kita bisa meraih banyak medali dibanding dua tahu lalu. Mereka (atlet) renang lebih siap,” kata Elsa.

Bukan tanpa dasar Elsa menarik kesimpulan tersebut, munculnya perenang muda yang mulai menunjukkan bakat dan talentanya membuatnya yakin, renang menjadi lumbung medali Indonesia. “Sejauh yang saya tahu, mereka telah menyiapkan diri dengan baik dan terkonsentrasi dan generasi baru terus bermunculan. Kalau bisa kita bisa meraih banyak medali baik di nomor putra maupun putri,” tuturnya.

Kendati demikian, wanita berparas cantik itu menegaskan, tuan rumah patut mewaspadai sepak terjang penantang terkuat seperti Malaysia, Singapura, Thailand. Bahkan, mereka perlu berhati-hati dengan Vietnam yang berpotensi menyabet medali di nomor-nomor pendek.

 “Dari dulu yang terberat Malaysia, Singapura, Thailand, dan jangan dilewatkan juga negara berkembang seperti Vietnam yang bisa juara di nomor-nomor pendek. Di awal-awal memang ada atlet yang tidak kelihatan tapi sekarang mereka mulai menanjak dan berprestasi,” tuntas Ratu renang Asia Tenggara ini.

SEA GAMES: Ajaib Jika Indonesia Juara Umum

Jelang pelaksanaan SEA Games yang tinggal sepuluh hari lagi masih menyisakan sejumlah persoalan-persoalan. Hal ini tentunya akan berdampak pada suksesnya pencapai prestasi dan penyelenggaraan.

Mulai dari belum siapnya venue, latih tanding keluar negeri yang baru dilakukan dua bulan lalu, serta pengalokasian anggaran SEA Games yang dilakukan 2010 membuat pelaksanaan SEA carut marut. Tak hanya itu, sampai pada perbaikan drainase yang dilakukan Pemda DKI tentu akan mengganggu mobilitas pelaksaan di Jakarta

“Ini semua akan mempengarui suksesnya pelaksanaan SEA Games termasuk sukses merebut juara umum.” ujar Anggota Komisi X DPR RI Hetifah, di Balikpapan ditemui sebelum ke Nunukan untuk reses , Selasa malam (1/11).

 “Mereka tidak bisa menikmati arena itu sebagai tuan rumah untuk menjajal tempat. Harusnya ini dipersiapkan jauh hari sehingga atlet dapat menikmati sarana ini jauh-jauh hari, selain itu kredibilitas Indonesia juga bisa juga jatuh gara-gara venue yang belum siap,” nilai politisi perempuan dari Partai Golkar ini.

Apalagi kata Hetifah dari informasi yang peroleh soal latih tanding di luar negeri, semua tidak berjalan sesuai rencana, karena baru dua bulan lalu itu dilakukan. “Ini juga jadi problem atlet dalam mengasah kemampuan dan mental tanding,” tandasnya.

Meski masih carut marut, politisi perempuan dari Dapil Kaltim ini optimis semua dapat berjalan sesuai harapan semua orang. Dalam hal ini termasuk juga harapan dari presiden SBY soal tri sukses yakni Sukses penyelenggaraan, Sukses prestasi, dan Sukses Pemberdayaan ekonomi masyarakat.

 “Harus optimis venue tuntas sehingga tuan rumah bisa lebih dulu coba arena. Memang kedepan harus dilakukan pembenahan manajemen olahraga yang kacau yang kita takutkan kita kehilangan kesempatan itu menjadi juara umum. Kalaupun nanti menang, mungkin itu mukjizat. Kalaupun kalah kita harus reflesai tentang policy dunia keolahrgaan kita termasuk penganggarannya,” pungkasnya. (seb)

Sumber:okeaone