“FORKI Claims Indonesian Karate Athletes Cheated at SEA Games 2023”

CNN Indonesia

Monday, 08 May 2023 17:34 WIB

Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

FORKI claims karateka Indonesia was cheated by the referee while appearing on SEA Games 2023. The cheating was felt from day one.

The manager of the Indonesian karate team, Yusran Arief, said that in the release, the men’s team kata numbers, the men’s individual words, and the women’s team kumite numbers were rigged by the match referee.

Indications of cheating, said Yusran, have befallen Indonesian athletes since the first day karate was competed. Says the men’s team, for example, had a chance to win gold, but failed after Vietnam won.

“From the first day since the first day of the Indonesian karate match, I was suspicious that there was cheating from the word men’s team which should be the gold target,” Yusran said in a release, Monday (8/5).

“But it was Indonesia’s opponent in the final, namely Vietnam, who was declared victorious. Vietnam was even surprised by the result. But at that time I was a bit doubtful,” he explained.

The alleged fraud was felt again on the second day. That was after the male kumite athlete in the men’s 75kg class, Ignatius Joshua, was not taken by the referee.

“When we protested, we were kicked out by the committee. Even before we were bullied again. What should have been a golden chance, three points that should have been awarded, were annulled,” said Yusran.

“We want to protest and can’t do it anymore. He said, next match but when we protest again we can’t. Yes, to be honest, the Indonesian karate team is said to be the men’s team, men’s individual, men’s team feel cheated.”

Head Coach of Kumite Indonesia, Idrus Gusti, expressed the same thing. He considered that there was fraud in the women’s team numbers for Cok Istri Agung, Ceyco Georgia Zefanya, Devina Dea and Dessyinta.

“There was an attack from our athlete Coki, and three judges declared entry after raising the flag. It turned out that the tatami manager from Kuwait annulled the point,” said Idrus.

“I came forward to protest, in fact it was not allowed. I came forward to protest but in fact it was not allowed. In fact, security pulled me away. Even though I complied with the WKF competition rules that have been in effect throughout the world,” he said.

Because of that, PB FORKI submitted a protest letter addressed to AKF (Asian Karatedo Federation) and WKF (World Karate Federation). The protest was also copied to NOC Indonesia.

“Whatever the consequences, we must report and protest strongly. Indonesian Karate is tyrannized by the referees here. So whatever it is, Indonesian citizens must fight,” said Yusran.

“Even if the results don’t change, at least karate at the Southeast Asian level can uphold high sportsmanship. Don’t talk about handing out medals,” Yusran said.

Indonesian karate at the 2023 SEA Games has won two gold, four silver and seven bronze medals. The gold was presented by Dandi Firmansyah and Ahmad Zigi Zaresta Putra.

(abs/sry)