Taekwondo, Tennis Help RI Maintain Top Spot In Medal Tally

Palembang, S Sumatra, Sept 29 (Antara) - Host Indonesia remained atop of the medal tally of the Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) after winning four gold medals in the taekwondo and tennis events on the day eight of the sporting event on Sunday. By Sunday, Indonesia earned 29 gold medals, 28 silver medals and 23 bronze medals, leaving behind Egypt in second place with 25 gold medals, 23 silver medals and 28 bronze medals. Turkey and Malaysia which sit on the third and fourth spots of the medal standings are tightly vying for the third place. Turkey earned 20 gold medals, 25 silver medals, and 40 bronze medals, while Malaysia grabbed 19 gold medals, 13 silver medals and 22 bronze medals. Egypt which tightly competed with Indonesia for the first place in the medal standings won three gold medals from women`s under-53-kg class in the taekwondo event, men`s 200-meter medley relay and men`s 1500-meter freestyle in the swimming event on Sunday. The Indonesian taekwondo team earned two gold medals in Kyorugi (fight) event at the ISG in Palembang on Sunday. Host taekwondo fighter Aghniny Haque won the first gold medal from the taekwondo event after beating Thirunakarasu Shakila of Malaysia 15-5 in the women`s under-46-kg division. Bronze medals in the women`s under-46-kg division went to Ali Aya of Egypt and Tahirli Turkana of Azerbaijan respectively. In the men`s under-58-kg division, host taekwondo fighter Aggie Seftyan beat Mohammad Khalifah of Jordan 8-7 to win a gold medal. In the men`s under-58-kg class Mohammed Al Melghagh of Morocco and Evas Omer Ramazani of Turkey won bronze medals respectively. The Indonesian contingent claimed two more gold medals from the tennis event after its men`s single player and women`s double players appeared to be the best. In the men`s single event, Indonesia`s Christopher Rungkat beat Mohamed Hassen of Algeria 6-2,6-1 in the finals. Indonesia`s first-seeded Christoper advanced to the finals after defeating Mohammed Al Nabhani of Oman 6-4, 7-6 (1) in the quarterfinals, and Baris Firat of Turkey 6-1, 6-1 in the semifinals. Sunday`s gold medal is Christoper`s second at the ISG 2013, having snatched a gold medal in the men`s double event where he teamed up with Albert Sie. Host team won a gold medal in the women`s double event in all Indonesia finals between the duos of Mia Secca Kasih-Heravita Mediana and Chyntia Melita-Lavinia Tananta. The two pairs tried to play their best games in the event where the duo of Chyntia Melita-Lavinia Tananta beat the pair of Mia Secca Kasih-Heravita Mediana, 6-4, 4-6, super tie break (10-5). Also on Sunday, Indonesia earned four silver medals from athletic, women`s double tennis, compound team archery, 400-meter freestyle relay, and one bronze medal from women`s compound team archery.