Typhoon Kammuri’s Wrath Delays Matches

A dozen sports in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, on Tuesday (3/12/2019) were delayed when Typhoon Kammuri hit the Philippines. Due to typhoon, Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport ceased operations

KOMPAS/DENTY PIAWAI NASTITIE

Deny, a 67-kg class lifter, expresses his joy at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, the Philippines, Tuesday (3/12/2019). Deny won gold after lifting a total of 315 kg, consisting of a 86 kg snatch and 104 kg clean and jerk.

MANILA, KOMPAS – Men’s best plans can be laid to waste by nature’s wrath. This rang true in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, as matches in at least a dozen sports on Tuesday (3/12/2019) were delayed when Typhoon Kammuri hit the Philippines.

The typhoon, which formed over the Pacific Ocean, made landfall on Luzon Island in the morning, moving eastward with heavy rain and strong winds of up to 130 kilometers per hour. For the safety of athletes and sports fans, the Games organizing committee decided to delay outdoor matches, such as in canoeing, kayaking and beach volleyball in Subic, as well as tennis in Manila.

Nevertheless, a majority of indoor matches went on as scheduled. Indonesian athletes won six golds, nine silvers and six bronzes during the day. Two out of the six golds were won by wushu athletes, with additional ones from shooting, aerobics, weightlifting and pencak silat.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

Indonesian female fighter Puspa Arum Sari is action at the final of the individual pencak silat martial arts at Subic Exhibition and Convention Center, Subic, Philippines, Tuesday (3/12/2019). Puspa won gold after earning a score of 467, while silver was won by the Philippines with a score of 454, and bronze was won by Brunei Darussalam with a score of 451. This was Puspa\'s first gold at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Empty

In Subic, warnings about Typhoon Kammuri made locals reduce their outdoor activities. Since the morning, streets in the town that was once a United States naval base were empty. The high waves on Subic Bay led to Tuesday’s canoeing and kayaking matches being delayed for two days. Similarly, modern pentathlon and surfing matches were also delayed.

SEA Games 2019 rowing competition manager Leonora Escollante said that Typhoon Kammuri was an unpredicted natural phenomenon. Despite the delays, all rowing and paddling competitions, comprising canoeing, kayaking, traditional boat races and rowing disciplines will still be done by 8 December. Consequently, match schedules will be tighter.

Due to Typhoon Kammuri, Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport ceased operations. Airport general manager Ed Monreal said, as quoted by AFP, that strong wind would endanger flights and, consequently, 500 flights had been cancelled. The airport resumed operations at 11 p.m. local time, 10 p.m. Jakarta time.

KOMPAS/DENTY PIAWAI NASTITIE

Indonesian gymnast Rifda Irfanaluthfi appears at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Philippines, Tuesday (3/12/2019). Rifda won a gold medal in the jump table number (vault) after collecting a total score of 13,484 points.

Edgar’s struggle

Due to the airport’s closure, Indonesian wushu athlete Edgar Xavier Marvelo could not immediately return to Jakarta despite news of his father Lo Tjhiang Meng’s death on early Tuesday. Amid his deep sorrow, Edgar soldiered on in wushu matches and won two golds.

Edgar won his golds in the taoludaoshu-gunshu and taoluduilian categories along with his two colleagues Harris Horatius and Seraf Naro Siregar.

“At 12:30 a.m., we received a call that his father was in critical condition. We were worried as, later in the day, Edgar would have to be in two final matches,” Indonesian wushu coach Novita said.

Despite his difficulties, he stands tall and brings a gift for the Indonesian team.

However, Edgar remained calm. He said that he remembered his father’s words that he should be focused and maintain his concentration in the game for the sake of his nation.

“His father had led a great life. Now it’s Edgar’s turn to fight for his nation. He manages to do it. Edgar is a true champion. Despite his difficulties, he stands tall and brings a gift for the Indonesian team,” said Novita, in appreciation of the persistence of the athlete who won three golds in the 2019 World Wushu Championships in China.

KOMPAS/Adrian Fajriansyah

Indonesian female fighter Puspa Arum Sari salutes during the medal presentation event in the pencak silat martial arts category at the Subic Exhibition and Convention Center, Subic, Philippines, Tuesday (3/12/2019).

In his Instagram account, Edgar received a flood of praise and sympathetic wishes. “These two gold medals in 2019 SEA Games are for Papa,” he captioned a photograph of himself holding the Red and White flag.

Senior lifter Deni also won gold in the 67-kilogram class. He was able to maintain his gold medal from the 2017 SEA Games in Malaysia. After dominating championships in Southeast Asia, Deni will now face his most difficult task of making it through to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Deni lifted a total of 315 kg, comprising 143 kg in snatch and 172 kg in clean and jerk. Meanwhile, young lifter Putri Aulia Andriani won bronze in the women’s 59-kg class in her SEA Games debut. (JON)