Uang Saku Pemain Dicatut, Menpora Prihatin

JAKARTA, AKUATIK INDONESIA - Menteri Pemuda dan Olahraga (Menpora), Roy Suryo, mengaku prihatin dengan adanya kabar yang menyebut uang saku pemain tim nasional Indonesia tak disalurkan secara utuh. Menpora mengimbau agar masalah ini bisa diselesaikan secara tuntas.

"Saya memberikan dukungan kepada Ketua Badan Tim Nasional (BTN) Isran Noor, termasuk soal penyimpangan anggaran. Jika ada kesalahan, harus diselesaikan. Kalau perlu laporkan kasus ini kepada pihak yang berwajib," ujar Menpora saat dihubungi wartawan, Selasa (26/3/2013).

"Penyimpangan kebijakan saja harus diselesaikan, apalagi kebijakan anggaran. Ini adalah dana yang terindikasi diselewengkan dan menyangkut hak dari pemain," lanjutnya.

"Tetapi, kalau memang ada penyimpangan harus diusut secara tuntas," tegasnya.

Menpora juga menjelaskan, pihaknya belum menerima pengaduan langsung dari para pemain. Tetapi, atas dasar perlindungan kepada setiap pemain, Menpora mendukung langkah Isran.

"Saya juga mencoba menengahi kasus Luis Manuel Blanco dan Nilmaizar. Begitu juga dengan pelatih Rahmad Darmawan. Kalau ada masalah, saya akan ikut menengahi," beber Menpora.

Sebelumnya, Ketua BTN Isran Noor menyatakan telah memberikan dana sebesar Rp 2 miliar kepada Harbiansyah untuk kebutuhan 57 pemain yang mengikuti pemusatan latihan. Namun, berdasarkan pengakuan sejumlah pemain, dana tersebut tidak disalurkan secara utuh.

Belakangan, Harbiansyah mengakui menerima dana sebesar 200 ribu dollar Singapura dari Isran. Harbiansyah berjanji akan mengembalikan uang tersebut ke Isran pada Selasa (26/3/2013). "Insya Allah, hari Selasa uangnya sudah bisa diterima Pak Isran," lanjut Harbiansyah. (kompas)

Diving World Series: Illya Kvasha (UKR) prevents China sweep in Dubai

Lausanne (SUI), LONCAT INDAH INDONESIA, March 23, 2013 – The team of China dominated the second leg of the FINA/Midea Diving World Series, held in Dubai (UAE) from March 21-23, 2013 but could not collect all the eight gold medals at stake, after an upset in the men’s 3m springboard. With Kai Qin absent from the event, the Chinese delegation had in Chong He its strongest asset, but the Asian star badly missed one of his dives, opening the door to Illya Kvasha’s win. The Ukrainian finished with 493.40, followed by Spain’s Javier Illana (first silver medal at this level) in 468.20, while He was only third in 466.35.

For the remaining seven events on the programme, China comfortably got the gold. Still among men, Yue Lin and Aisen Chen repeated the 1-2 finish of the first leg in Beijing (CHN) in the men’s 10m platform (together, they were first in the synchro event), and Kai Qin/Chong He were the best in the 3m springboard synchro.

Besides the 3m springboard, the non-Chinese medals in the men’s field went to Victor Minibaev (RUS, bronze in the 10m), to Ukraine’s Kvasha/Prygorov and Mexico’s Castillo/Islas in the 3m springboard synchro (respectively silver and bronze), and to Russia’s Minibaev/Chesakov (silver) and Cuba’s Oliva/Aguirre (bronze) in the 10m platform synchro.   

Among women, 2012 Olympic silver medallist Zi He (CHN) was once more the best in the 3m springboard, totalling 391.20 points, while Canadian Jennifer Abel got the silver (as in the first leg) with 309.30. The bronze medal went to Olena Fedorova, from Ukraine, in 304.50. The first two places in the 10m platform were also the same as in Beijing, with Ruolin Chen (CHN) capturing gold in 403.85 and Meaghan Benfeito (CAN) getting the silver in 381.90. Yulia Koltunova (RUS) was third in 371.05.

In the synchro events, also no surprises, with Chinese victories of Zi He/Han Wang and Ruolin Chen/Huixia Liu in the 3m and 10m events, respectively. Other medals went to Italy (Cagnotto/Dallape), Canada (Abel/Ware and Benfeito/Filion), and Russia (Koltunova/Goncharova).

The 2013 Diving World Series’ next stop is Edinburgh (GBR) from April 19-21. Follow the FINA/Midea Diving World Series 2013 on FINAtv and iPhone/iPad (LIVE+ application @appstore) by clicking on the following link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/digotel-live+-for-ios/id472736696?mt=8

MEDALLISTS IN DUBAI
MEN
3m springboard: 1. Illya Kvasha (UKR) 493.40; 2. Javier Illana (ESP) 468.20; 3. Chong He (CHN) 466.35
10m platform: 1. Yue Lin (CHN) 586.90; 2. Aisen Chen (CHN) 571.60; 3. Victor Minibaev (RUS) 538.05
3m springboard synchro: 1. Chong He/Kai Qin (CHN) 480.33; 2. Illya Kvasha/Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) 443.37; 3. Yahel Castillo/Daniel Islas (MEX) 406.17
10m platform synchro: 1. Aisen Chen/Yue Lin (CHN) 490.95; 2. Victor Minibaev/Artem Chesakov (RUS) 444.12; 3. Jose Guerra Oliva/Jeinkler Aguirre (CUB) 417.39

WOMEN
3m springboard: 1. Zi He (CHN) 391.20; 2. Jennifer Abel (CAN) 309.30; 3. Olena Fedorova (UKR) 304.50
10m platform: 1. Ruolin Chen (CHN) 403.85; 2. Meaghan Benfeito (CAN) 381.90; 3. Yulia Koltunova (RUS) 371.05
3m springboard synchro: 1. Zi He/Han Wang (CHN) 331.20; 2. Tania Cagnotto/Francesca Dallape (ITA) 297.90; 3. Jennifer Abel/Pamela Ware (CAN) 296.10
10m platform synchro: 1. Ruolin Chen/Huixia Liu (CHN) 353.04; 2. Meaghan Benfeito/Roseline Filion (CAN) 331.44; 3. Yulia Koltunova/Natalia Goncharova (RUS) 315.36

(fina)

Coutts and Seebohm headline NSW Championships

AKUATIK INDONESIA: More than half of the Australian Swim Team from London, including multiple medallists Alicia Coutts and Emily Seebohm will come together at the 2013 New South Wales State Open Championships this weekend, from Friday to Sunday at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.

With just 44 days to go until the Australian Swimming Championships in Adelaide, 24 Olympians and a handful of Paralympians will use the meet as vital race practise and preparation ahead of looking to qualify for selection onto the teams for the 2013 FINA and IPC World Championships.

Five-time London Olympic medallist Alicia Coutts will test her training and conditioning in a total of nine events over the three days, six of which will see her go head-to-head with dual silver medallist and Olympic record holder from London Emily Seebohm.

Silver medal winning medley relay teammates in London, Coutts and Seebohm will battle it out for bragging rights in the 50m butterfly, freestyle and backstroke, as well as the 100m backstroke and freestyle and the 200m individual medley.

Joining them in the women’s 50m and 100m freestyle will be fellow London Olympic teammates Brittany Elmslie and Yolane Kukla.

Swimming Australia Head Coach Leigh Nugent, who is unable to attend the meet due to family reasons, said he will be watching the times with interest as they come in over the three days of competition.

“NSW States is traditionally the last chance for athletes to fine tune their racing skills before the Australian Swimming Championships, and for many aspiring for selection in Adelaide, this will be their first real hit out of 2013.”

“It’s always difficult to gauge where an athlete might be in their preparation for Trials, and what their times might actually mean, but in reality we’re looking for swimmers to be able to back up from heat swims and post faster times in finals, regardless of their overall program.”

“We’ve set the qualifying standards high for Barcelona this year, the equivalent of top eight at the 2011 World Championships, so we’re looking for athletes to step up and set those standards in the pool.”

In the men’s events, the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle races will be contested by 4x100m freestyle relay teammates from London James Magnussen, James Roberts, Tommaso D’Orsogna and Cameron McEvoy.  And while it could be a four-way-face-off in each of the freestyle sprint events,  Roberts, McEvoy and D’Orsogna will also line up against each other in the 100m butterfly.

2011 World Championship relay gold medallist Matthew Abood and younger brother Andrew  will also step up to the blocks for the 50m and 100m freestyle events, while 2012 FINA World Cup champion Kenneth To will also add some experience to the freestyle events.

A host of Paralympians will also travel to Sydney for race practise in preparation for the 2013 IPC World Swimming Championships in Montreal this August.

Eight-time Paralympic gold medallist, Jacqueline Freney will be looking to continue her run of success but will have to overcome her Paralympic teammates and fellow multiple Paralympic medallists Ellie Cole and Maddison Elliott when they line up for the Multi Class 100m freestyle.

With over 850 competitors entered, including international athletes from Japan, China and France, this weekend is set to showcase some fast times and strong competition.

Women's World League: Hungary, Italy, Russia and Spain grab Super Final ticket

Lausanne (SUI), AKUATIK INDONESIA – The teams of Hungary, Italy, Russia and Spain qualified for the 2013 FINA Women’s Water Polo World League Super Final to be held in Beijing (CHN) from June 1-6.

In Group A, Spain’s strong defense was key in ousting 2011 World champion Greece with a score of 11-7 in front of the home crowd in Barcelona, during the last preliminary round of the European tournament held on March 16.

Hungary and Spain finished 1-2 of the Group A rankings, totalling three victories/one loss (9 points) and two victories/two losses (6 points), respectively.

In a thrilling game, the visiting Russians beat the Dutch squad in a tight 11-10 (Group B) in Dordrecht to clinch the last Super Final spot.

After collecting three victories and one loss (8 points), Italy takes a first-place finish in the Group B rankings, followed by Russia with 7 points.

European qualifiers (Hungary, Italy, Russia and Spain) will be joined by the two highest-ranked teams from the Asia/Oceania tournament, taking place from May 9-14 in Auckland (NZL), and Americas tournament, scheduled from May 24-27 in the USA (city to be confirmed).

Women’s final rankings:
GROUP A: 1. HUN, 9 pts (3 wins, 1 loss); 2. ESP, 6 (2W, 2L); 3. GRE, 3 (1W, 3L)
GROUP B: 1. ITA, 8 pts (3W); 2. RUS 7 (2W, 2L); 3. NED, 3 (1W, 3L)

Diving World Series: China dominates opening leg’s action in Beijing

manpodiom 10m

Lausanne (SUI), AKUATIK INDONESIA (March 17, 2013) – Beijing’s “Water Cube” provided the backdrop to spectacular performances during the opening leg of the FINA/Midea Diving World Series 2013, organised from March 15-17. The superb venue welcomed 60 of the best divers in action from 12 countries.

It was an expected show of strength by China, the traditional diving powerhouse, whose nine-strong squad blitzed to win all eight titles on offer.

China’s Kai Qin and Chong He finished 1-2 in the men’s 3m springboard, with a total 548.65 and 521.50 points, respectively, beating 2012 Olympic champion in the event, Ilya Zakharov from Russia, third with 514.45 points. The two Chinese paired in the 3m synchro to win with a total 468.90, besting Zakharov and Evgeny Kuznetsov, second with 430.32 points, and Mexico’s Yahel Castillo/Daniel Islas, third with 396.15 points.

Among women, 2012 Olympic silver medallist Zi He (CHN) was untouchable in the 3m springboard, totalling 395.65 points. Canadian Jennifer Abel took second with 335.20 points while Italy’s diving talent Tania Cagnotto secured the minor medal with 330.70 points. In the 3m synchro, 2012 Olympic champion Minxia Wu combined with Tingmao Shi to capture gold with an overall 336.60, ahead of British pair Alicia Blagg/Rebecca Gallantree (305.79 points) and Anna Pysmenska/Olena Fedorova from Ukraine (300.90 points), second and third, respectively.

Rising talent Yue Lin extended China’s unbeaten streak in the men’s 10m platform, winning with an overall 555.55 while podium challengers Aisen Chen (CHN, 551.55 points) and Victor Minibaev (RUS, 499.35 points) finished in second and third place, respectively. Chen and Lin’s victory in the 10m platform synchro generated little surprise with the pair scoring a grueling 493.47. Minibaev and Artem Chesakov finished runners-up (439.65 points) while 2012 Olympic silver medallist Ivan Garcia from Mexico, with Adan Zuniga, took third with 403.47 points.

Multi Olympic and World champion Ruolin Chen delivered a brilliant performance in the 10m platform, winning the individual and synchro (with Huixia Liu) events with total scores of 403.75 and 351.78, respectively. Meaghan Benfeito (CAN) took silver in the individual and synchro (combining with Roseline Filion) with a total 362.25 and 316.71 points, respectively. 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Pandelela Rinong Pamg from Malaysia claimed third spot with 337.75 points while the synchro bronze went to Yulia Koltunova/Natalia Goncharova (RUS, 316.56 points).

Menpora: Para Atlet tidak Cukup Hanya Mengandalkan Bakat

Melbourne: AKUATIK INDONESIA - Salah satu kelemahan atlet Indonesia hanyalah mengandalkan bakat. Padahal kalau para atlet  hendak berkembang dan meningkatkan prestasi di bidangnya, harus pula diterapkansport science.  Demikian dikatakan Menpora usai hari Jumat (15/3) sore waktu setempat didampingi istrinya Ismarindayani meninjau Victorian Institute of Sport di kawasan Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia. 

"Mengandalkan bakat saja tidak cukup. Karena atlet-atlet kita hanya mengandalkan bakat, maka perkembangan mereka sangat terbatas. Prestasipun sulit diraih, sementara atlet-atlet negara-negara lain menggabungkan beberapa unsur, selain berdasarkan bakat juga menerapkan sport science, bahkan kalau perlu menggunakan pula sport intelligent," jelasnya.

Dahulu, lanjutnya, pebulu tangkis kita Liem Swie King menguasai bulutangkis dunia karena memiliki kecepatan dan senjata yaitu smash keras sambil meloncat tinggi yang kemudian dikenal dengan sebutan Kings Smash. "Para pelatih bulutangkis China mengetahui senjata King tersebut, lantas menelitinya dan hasilnya kemudian dipakai untuk melatih pebulutangkis mereka. Hasilnya, para pebulutangkis muda China kemudian banyak yang menggunakan senjata andalan Liem Swie King itu, dan akhirnya mereka merebut supremasi bulutangkis dunia. China menerapkan sport science dan  sport intelligent dengan baik untuk melatih atlet-atlet mereka," jelas Roy Suryo.

Saat meninjau Victorian Institute of Sport Melbourne, Menpora dipandu pimpinannya, yaitu Anna Marie. Kepada Menpora Anna Marie menjelaskan program-program latihan untuk para atlet, dan menerapkan sport science misalnya untuk membuat asupan dan menditeksi kesehatan para atlet. Kepada Menpora juga diperlihatkan peralatan-peralatan yang menggunakan teknologi tinggi  untuk latihan para atlet. Menpora mengaku puas, dan yakin bahwa para atlet Indonesia juga bisa berprestasi tinggi apabila memperoleh latihan yang dipadu dengan ilmu pengetahuan.

Ksenia Moskvina lands six-year doping ban

Ksenia Moskvina

RENANG INDONESIA-Former European champion swimmer Ksenia Moskvina has been banned for six years for a repeat doping offense, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) said Thursday.

The Russian, 23, is already serving a one-year ban for her first doping offense and the new punishment will start on November 25, when her first sanction expires.

“Ksenia Moskvina is disqualified for a period of six years, starting from November 25, 2013, for a repeat breach of anti-doping rules,” RUSADA said in a website statement.

FINA Development programme 2013 kicks off in Bermuda

AKUATIK INDONESIA-The first clinic of 2013 was organised by the Bermuda Amateur Swimming Association in Hamilton from February 19-23, 2013.

Swimming expert Mancer Roberts from the Bahamas conducted the intermediate-level clinic for 17 enthusiastic swimming officials.

The five-day course focused on duties of officials and various positions on pool deck (timekeeper, clerk of course, referee, starter, inspector of turns, stroke judge, finish judge, etc.). Both theory and practice sessions were held. (fina)

After thrilling Eilat race, 10km World Cup 2013 heads to Cancun

AKUATIK INDONESIA-After producing thrilling performances in Eilat (ISR) on March 1, the world's finest marathon swimmers will head to Mexico for the fourth leg of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2013, set to take place in Cancun Bay on April 13.

World-class swimmers will take the plunge in the tropical ocean's pristine waters for a two-hour effort. Cancun is part of the FINA 10km annual circuit for the fifth time, having made its first appearance on the World Cup calendar in 2008.

Romain Beraud (FRA) and Emily Brunemann (USA) claimed two wins each in Santos (BRA) and Viedma (ARG), the first two stops of the Series, while Christian Reichert (GER) and Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA) were the best in Eilat (ISR).

Women's World League: European teams to book ticket for Super Final

AKUATIK INDONESIA-The four European teams to book a ticket for the Women's Super Final taking place in Beijing (CHN) from June 3-8, 2013 will be decided this month at the end of the continent's home-and-away preliminary games.

The fifth and last round of the FINA Women's Water Polo World League 2013 will be held on March 13 and 16, respectively.

On March 13, 2011 World champion Greece will meet Hungary in Athens (Group A) while Italy will visit 2011 World bronze medallist Russia in Chelyabinsk. On March 16, 2012 Olympic silver medallist Spain will face Greece in Barcelona while the Netherlands will play against Russia in Dordrecht.

Hungary and Italy currently lead their respective group (A and B) with 9 and 8 points each.(fina)

Diving world series 2013: first stop in beijing

AKUATIK INDONESIA-About 60 divers from the world's strongest nations in the sport - Australia, Canada, China, Cuba, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Ukraine and the United States - will be on-hand at the first meet of the FINA/Midea Diving World Series 2013, organised at Beijing's iconic 'Water Cube' (CHN) from March 15-17.

The stellar line-up that will take part includes many reigning Olympic and World champions. Among men, Chong He from China (seen above) will seek to defend his 2012 World Series title in the 3m springboard. He is the 2011 World champion in the event and took third at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. His main challenger on the springboard will be 2012 Olympic champion Ilya Zakharov from Russia.

Among those to watch in the 10m platform are 2012 Olympic silver medallist and 2011 world number one Qiu Bo (CHN), Ivan Garcia (MEX), Olympic silver medallist in the synchro event, and Victor Minibaev (RUS).

Winner of a record four consecutive titles, China's He Zi has dominated the women's 3m springboard at the World Series since 2009. The 23-year-old, who finished second in the event behind compatriot Minxia Wu at the 2012 London Games, will contend for a fifth title this year. Wu, who also won the event at the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai, and Laura Sanchez (MEX), 2012 Olympic bronze medallist in the event, will compete in Beijing as well.

In the women's 10m platform, China's Ruolin Chen has remained unchallenged at major competitions since 2008, completing a golden sweep in both individual and synchro events at the last two editions of the Games and FINA World Championships in 2011. The standout performer will vie for a fourth World Series title (and third in-a-row) this year.

The platform events will feature a tough competitive field with Brittany Broben (AUS) and Pandelela Rinong Pamg (MAS), 2012 Olympic silver and bronze medallists, respectively.

The 2013 calendar comprises six stops:

Beijing (CHN) from March 15-17

Dubai (UAE) from March 21-23

Edinburgh (GBR) from April 19-21

Moscow (RUS) from April 26-28

Guadalajara (MEX) from May 17-19

Mexico City (MEX) from May 24-26

The competition programme for men and women includes 3m springboard, 10m platform, 3m springboard synchro and 10m platform synchro.

(fina)

10KM MARATHON SWIMMING WORLD CUP: Reichert (GER) and Cunha (BRA) in top shape in Eilat (ISR)

AKUATIK INDONESIA-65 swimmers plunged into the crystal waters of Eilat for the third stop of the FINA 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup 2013. The city of Eilat hosted this Olympic swimming event for the second year in a row. 16 countries participated in this competition while enjoying the ideal conditions of 28 degrees Celsius with a water temperature of 21 degrees.

A surprising victory was set by Christian Reichert who beat his fellow rival from the German team, World champion Thomas Lurz: "I didn't feel threatened by anyone and I didn't look back. I was focused on winning every meter of this race."

Reichert finished clocked 1h53m29s50, Thomas Lurz in 1h53m34s05 and the third place was U.S. swimmer Alexander Meyer with the result of 1h53m38s00.

Brazilian Ana Marcela Cunha won the women's race in 2h02m53s15, second was Harle Isabelle Franziska of Germany with a time of 2h02m53s40, and third position was Italian World champion Martina Grimaldi with the tight result of 2h02m55s40. The winners were determined within fractions of seconds.(fina)