Indonesian karate athletes eye 2 titles at Asian Games

JAKARTA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Athletes on the Indonesian karate team have set a two-gold target at the upcoming Asian Games, the association said on Monday.

Chairman of the Indonesian Karate Association Gatot Nurmantyo was upbeat about their prospects for achieving the target after he saw the capabilities and performance of the athletes in recent tournaments.

"That is the association target, and it must be achieved," the chairman said in Palu, Central Sulawesi province.

To achieve the goal in the regional sport event, the athletes will undergo more intensive training and friendly matches, Nurmantyo was quoted by Antara news wire as saying on Monday.

In addition to the training, the athletes already boast experience in international tournaments, including those held in France and the Netherlands, a senior official at the association Zulkarnaen Purba said.

In April of this year, the athletes are also scheduled to take part in a karate tournament in Dubai, he added.

A total of 40 countries and regions will send their athletes to vie in karate sport during the Asian Games this year, according to the association.

Karate will include 13 events, including 11 kumite branches and 2 artistic branches, it said.

The 18th Asian Games are scheduled to be held in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and in Palembang, the provincial capital of South Sumatra province from August 18 to September 2. Enditem