TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian karate team coach Idris Gusti stated that his athlete got cheated during a competition at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.

“At a score of 3-4 with Vietnam winning, our athlete Coki (Cok Istri Agung Sanistyarani) made an attack and got the point. The three judges raised their flags and declared the point, but it turned out that the tatami manager from Kuwait annulled the point,” Idris explained at a press conference at the Chroy Changvar Convention Center Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Monday, May 8, 2023.

“I came forward to protest, asked for a form of protest, but I was not allowed. I was pulled over by security. While in fact, it is in accordance with the WKF (World Karate Federation) competition rules that have been enforced in the world of karate,” he said.

However, Idris appreciated the hard work of his karateka who kept giving their best performance for Indonesia.

The Indonesian karate team manager, Yusran Arief, also said that he had submitted a protest to related parties, including the WKF and the Asian Karate Federation (AKF), as well as the Indonesian Sports Committee (NOC Indonesia).

Yusran said the protest was intended as a firm form of high sportsmanship which is upheld in the world of sports. “Regardless of the result, we as Indonesian citizens must fight even if the results don't change, at least [we have shown] that karate at the Southeast Asian and Asian levels must uphold high sportsmanship.”

On Monday, May 8, 2023, the Indonesian karate team won bronze medals in the Men's Team Kumite and Women's Team Kumite. In total, Indonesian karate has bagged two gold, four silver, and seven bronze at the 2023 SEA Games.

ANTARA

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