East Java contingent’s sepak takraw men’s team pocketed a gold medal in the Papua National Sports Week (PON) XX after defeating South Sulawesi, 2-1, in the finals held at Trikora sports arena (GOR), here, Wednesday.

This result leveled the province up after having been left behind in the national game since it only won a silver medal in the same discipline.

The athletes, coached by Muhammad Khatib, were left behind when pair Syamsul Hadi and Dedi Setiadi Suryo directly lost two sets 16-21, 15-21, against South Sulawesi’s pair, Muhammad Hardiansyah Muliang and Rusdi.

Hari Budianto and Syaiful Rijal then turned things around by winning the second set, 21-16 and 21-13, against the pair: Andi Tri Sandi Putra and Nofrisal.

A 1-1 draw led them to play the third set where East Java deployed Jimmy Kartika and Abdul Muin and South Sulawesi paired Diki Apriadi and Muh. Ruswan Wajib.

The first set of the third group was closely fought until they held a deuce, and South Sulawesi was able to pocket points since the crossing smash of Abdul Muin failed to bag points and ended the game, 23-25.

In the second set, East Java was able to quickly grab points when Apriadi failed to tackle Muin’s smash, and the game ended 21-13.

East Java’s winning momentum continued to the determining set despite being tightly contended. Muin and his team secured a gold medal after the serving kick of Apriadi failed to pass the net, and the Group III of South Sulawesi lost the third set, 17-21.

South Sulawesi had to be content with only a silver medal, while Jakarta and Papua pocketed a bronze medal, as they were stopped in the semifinal game.

“Thank you to all athletes, who have competed tremendously. The point is, all of this achievement is due to the players’ unity and togetherness,” East Java men’s sepak takraw coach, Khatib, told ANTARA after the match.

He stated that the East Java sepak takraw team had targeted two gold medals from the men’s team, including the men’s quadrant.

Source: Antara News