A sense of togetherness is what the weightlifting team must foster, if they are to fare as well as expected in the Olympics, according to the man who heads up the sport, the Jakarta Post reported Friday.
That's why when Sori Enda Nasution was scrapped from the coaching list, the weightlifting association appealed to the Indonesian Sports Council (KON) to put him back in the team.
Sori Enda has since been reinstated, and although his status is as an extra official, his presence in the team is seen to be crucial.
"This team has been together, training and competing, since the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games and Asian Games some time ago. I can say the weightlifting squad is as solid as always, and I hope they can make the country proud," Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI) chairman Adang Daradjatun said.
Lifter Eko Yuli Irawan, 18, is the team's best prospect for a medal at the Olympics following his convincing performance at a regional competition.
Sori Enda said the youngest member of the team was expected to bring home the gold in the 56-kilogram category.
Eko got ready for the games with a new record by lifting a combined weight of 284 kilograms.
Team manager Syafrizaldi said Chinese lifters would provide the biggest challenges in the competition.
"He will face tough challenges from Chinese lifters, including world No. 1 Li Zheng, as well as (DPR) Korean world champion Cha Kum-Chol and Vietnamese dark horse Hong Ang Tuang," he said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)