Monalisa Grabs Gold Medal At ISG Swimming Games

Palembang, S Sumatra, Sept 27 (Antara) - The Indonesian female swimmer Monalisa Arieswaty Lorenza grabbed first gold medal after winning the 200-meter distance of butterfly stroke at the 3rd Islamic Solidarity Games (ISG) here on Thursday night. Monalisa who reached the finish point in 2:16.55 second, was followed by Malaysia`s Cai Lin Khoo with time 2:18.21 and Egypt`s Mariam Sakr with time 2:19.73 second. On the occasion Monalisa contributed first gold medal for the Indonesian women`s swimming games after the men`s swimmer Triady Sidiq who attained two gold medals at the distance of 50 meters and 100 meters of male backstroke. In addition, Indonesia also attained three silver medals by Triady Fauzy Sidiq at 50 meters of men`s freestyle, Dennis Josua Tiwa at 100 meters of men`s breaststroke, and I Gede Siman Sudartawa at 200 meters of men`s backstroke. Being the host of the ISG, two of Indonesia`s female swimmers also gained three bronze medals namely Raina Saumi Rhamdhani at 400 meters of women`s freestyle, and Nurul Fajar Fitriyati at 50 meters of women`s backstroke. Aside from that Indonesia also gained one bronze medal at the men`s freestyle relay by Triady Sidiq, Putera Muhammad Randa, Alexis Wijaya Omar and Satrio Bagaskara. The swimming games will continue on Friday (Sept 27) to compete four gold medals namely 800 meters and 50 meters of women`s freestyle, 100 meters of women`s breaststroke style and 100 meters of men`s backstroke. Previously, the Indonesian team set a target of winning 10 gold medals at the ISG, being held here from September 22 through October 1, 2013. "At the swimming games, there are 40 gold medals being contested by 18 countries, and Indonesia is optimistic about winning 10 gold medals," the Indonesian national team coach, Albert C Sutanto, said here on Monday, adding that Indonesia fielded 20 athletes consisting of 11 women and 9 men. Some of these athletes have competed internationally, such as I Gede Siman Sudartawa, Triadya Fauzy, Yessy Vennisa Yosaputra, and Monalisa Arieswaty Lorenza. The number of ISG participants is estimated at 3,257, consisting of 2,668 athletes and 589 officials. Forty-four countries taking part in the ISG event are Algeria, Azerbaijan, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Guinea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Morocco, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, and Tajikistan. Turkmenistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Yemen, Guinea, Mauritania, Gambia, Nigeria, Jordan, Togo, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, Mozambique, Lebanon, Tunisia, Somalia, Bahrain, Djibouti, Bangladesh and Chad are also participating in the games.