The Indonesian squad has been preparing at full-speed for the 26th edition of the Southeast Asian Games, the biggest multi-sports event of the region. 545 events in 56 different sports are scheduled for the Games. Amongst them, 14 gold medals are dedicated to boxing.
The tournament is held in Palembang, capital city of South Sumatra Province from 14 to 21 November at the Sriwijaya Sport Hall.
It is the fourth time Indonesia is hosting the SEA Games with Jakarta already having staged the event in 1997. Indonesian boxers will try to stop their losing streak at these Games since Middleweight Benny Elopere won the last gold medal for the country eight years ago.
Following busy preparations, the team had the opportunity to increase its international experience at the Vllaznia Memorial Tournament in Albania, the Korotkov Memorial Tournament in Russia, the President's Cup in Jakarta, the Asian Championships in Incheon and finally the AIBA World Boxing Championships Baku 2011.
Indonesians only won eight bronze medals at the President's Cup in front of their home crowd and could not even reach a podium finish at the Asian Men's Elite Championships. They prepared for the Games under the leadership of Coach Khamid Barayev of Kazakhstan.
Vllaznia Memorial Tournament silver medallist and King's Cup bronze medallist Denny Hitarihun is the most experienced member of the team and will fight in the Light Flyweight class.
Bali's mainstay boxer Julio Bria from Denpasar was bronze medallist at the last edition of the Southeast Asian Games and has the highest number of international bouts of any of his team members. He was only stopped by the tough Kazakh boxers this year and looks in a position to achieve his dream, the gold medal of the Flyweight category.
Multiple National Champion Dadan Amanda from Bandung was been replaced by 24-year-old Rafli Langi in the Bantamweight division. Indonesia's Lightweight No.1, 19-year-old Mathias Mandiangan from Sulawesi was silver medallist at the last edition of the SEA Games and will aim for an even better performance in Palembang.
King's Cup bronze medallist and Asian Games quarter-finalist, 22-year-old Vinky Montolalu is also a great prospect for the home nation while Welterweight Taufan Paransa, veteran team member Alex Tatontos and Light Heavyweight Nazaruddin are also involved in the squad.
The Women's team contains two experienced and internationally known athletes: Selly Wanimbo from Papua and AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships competitor, 20-year-old Welmy Pariama from the Spice Islands. Newcomers are Apriliani Tombeg, Irene Sasihiang, Norbertha Tajum and Siti Aisyah.
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