The Indonesian Taekwondo Association (PBTI) observed the potential of cadet athletes from various regions, through the 2022 Taekwondo National Championships held at the Benteng Taruna Sports Center Stadium, Tangerang, Banten, on December 15-18.

“Most provinces have successfully bagged medals, although five provinces, namely West Java, Jakarta, Central Java, Banten, and Yogyakarta are still dominant,” PBTI Chairperson Thamrin Marzuki said in a statement here on Sunday.

Marzuki assessed that the strength in the junior cadet category was more evenly distributed.

As of Sunday afternoon, West Java was unshakable at the top by winning 16 gold medals, 9 silver medals, and 15 bronze medals.

Jakarta ranked second with eight gold, 10 silver, and 12 bronze, while Central Java occupied third place with seven gold, seven silver, and three bronze.

While the host province Banten had to settle for fourth place with six gold, six silver, and 15 bronze.

PBTI’s Head of Coaching and Achievement Fachmy Fachrezzy said that so far his side has mapped the composition of athletes who will be selected to match in the 32nd SEA Games in 2023 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

He has seen a lot of potential for athletes in the junior category, especially in terms of skills and posture, while their physical stamina needs to be improved.

“We have saved the (names of) athletes who will take part in the selection, the criteria and qualifications of the athletes selected from the results of the national championships are expected to meet our expectations,” Fachrezzy said.

Athletes’ mentality and insight can improve through competing in official events with international standards, he added.

To this end, he promised to improve the formula and schemes of coaching and achievement development, especially in relation to the quality of championships, including inter-regional championships in the following years.

Source: Antara News