Indonesia Fighters Look to World Pro with Asian Games on Mind
The Indonesian national team is here for the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu World Pro with the full squad, eyeing the Asian Games to be held in their backyards late this year.
With Jiu-Jitsu making its debut at the Asia’s biggest sporting extravaganza, though relatively new to the sport, the hosts are leaving no stones unturned to make sure they make an impact in front of their home fans.
The Indonesian national Jiu-Jitsu federation has roped in Brazilian Bruno Amorim, who was running a Singapore-based gymnasium Fama Fitness and Martial Arts with Jiu-Jitsu at the helm, as the head coach.
“I was here last year with a small contingent from Singapore and then in November I got this offer to coach the Indonesian national team. It was new challenge but the best one to happen to me. The whole of Jakarta is excited about the Asian Games and people know a lot about the sport now,” said Amorim adding that the Indonesian government is supporting a lot to popularise the sport.
“We had a test event in Jakarta and there a local boy, who was white belt, beat a brown belt and that showed there is talent. The experience has been positive and now we have a squad comprising 10 fighters here — seven boys and three girls. We will be adding six more to the squad ahead of the Games,” revealed Amorim, who was hoping that his wards would make the most at the World Pro.
“This is going to be the first big competition for my wards. They have never been to such a big stage and I will also know where they need to improve. It will also be an eye opener for them to know how many good fighters are out there,” said Amorim, who strongly believes some of his fighters are even capable of making it to the podium here.
“I think everyone present here has a chance. I have a 16-year-old in the squad who is simply hooked to the sport and trains three times a day. Amongst the ladies also we have a chance,” said Amorim, who will also be competing at the World Pro under the Indonesian National Team banner in the 69kg black belt masters 1.
“My focus is on training them but since I’m here I will also compete. Such things can also inspire your team. So these are the small, small things you do to boost the team’s confidence. Mental conditioning is also important,” explained Amorim, who also felt with Indonesia, not having made a huge impact on the big stage in sports, is looking towards the Asian Games as a launch pad.
“If we can get a medal from a sport like Jiu-Jitsu, it will be historic. Indonesia is not a country like China which wins a lot of medals. In a sport like Jiu-Jitsu anything can happen and all you have to do is keep trying,” asserted Amorim, whose ward Simone Julia, went on to reveal that she was bracing up for her ‘life changing moment’.
“I competed in the Asian Indoor Championship in Turkmenistan last year and that was my major championship. Unfortunately, I missed out on the bronze medal in the open belt there.
“We have been training like crazy — almost 12 times a week and hence I’m confident of doing well here and in Jakarta. I’m full time into Jiu-Jitsu and under Bruno it has been great. He really knows to push us,” said Julia, who has been the national champion for three years in a row.
Julia’s male counterparts Wahyu Hidayat and Chacha Ananda Mauludi also are keen to impress in front of home fans.
“I can’t wait to be there and to do well there and I also want to impress here. This is very important for me as this is my first experience of competing in a major tournament,” said 16-year-old Hidayat, who will take part in the blue belt U-17 category.
Mauludi, who will figure in blue belt adult 56kg category, also echoed the same sentiments as Hidayat saying, “I’m spending as much time as possible training. I want to impress from this event itself. We are representing a nation and hence there is a lot of responsibility on our shoulders.”
Courtesy : gulfnews
Photo : medan.tribunnews.com
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