Indonesian Karateka Cheated By Cambodian SEA Games Referee 2023

Karateka Indonesia feels rigged at the 2023 SEA Games. (Camboja/PB FORKI)

JAKARTA Unpleasant events experienced by karateka Indonesia at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia. They were rigged by the referee when appearing in the largest multi-branch in Southeast Asia.

The fraud was experienced by athletes from the men's team word number, men's individual said, and the women's team committee number. The indications of fraud have also existed since the first day of the karate sport was contested, namely on Friday, May 6.

The manager of the Indonesian Karate Team, Yusran Arief, said that the smell of cheating began to smell after the team said that the men's team who had the opportunity to win a gold medal actually lost against Vietnam.

"From the start, from the first day of the Indonesian karate match, I had suspected that there was fraud from the word men's team which should be the golden target. But instead, Indonesia's opponent in the final was Vietnam who was declared victorious. Vietnam was even surprised by the results, but at that time I was a bit hesitant," said Yusran.

The fraud then continued on the second day of the competition. The points of athletes in the 75 kg class of the Ignatius Joshua committee were not taken and the manager was expelled by the committee when protesting against the incident.

"Until now we have been bullied again. What should be there is a golden opportunity, three points that should have entered, but were disallowed. Even what makes me confused is that the referee who is usually neutral from Kazakhstan, this time is actually not neutral," said Yusran.

"We also want to protest no longer. He said, the next match, but when we protest, we can't. Yes, to be honest, the Indonesian karate team, said the men's team, individual men's teams, felt cheated," he continued.

The head coach of the Indonesian Kumite, Idrus Gusti, said the same thing. He also stated that there was fraud in the women's team numbers Cok Istri Agung, Ceyco Georgia Amaz, Devina Dea, and Dessyinta.

"There was an attack from our athlete Coki, and three judges stated that they came in after raising the flag. It turned out that the manager from Kuwait ruled out the points. I ran for the protest, in fact I can't. I protested in fact, it was not allowed, instead I was withdrawn by security, even though I am in accordance with the WKF match which has been in effect for the world so far," said Idrus.

"From yesterday too, we were harmed. Luckily, even though the children were treated unfairly, they competed tremendously. Thank you to NOC Indonesia for continuing to support us earlier," he said.

So far, the Executive Board of the Indonesian Karate-Do Sports Federation (PB FORKI) has submitted a protest letter addressed to AKF (Asian Karatedo Federation) and WKF (World Karate Federation) with a copy of NOC Indonesia.

Karate Indonesia at the SEA Games has so far won two gold, four silver, and seven bronze medals. The gold was presented by Dandi Firmansyah from the men's individual -84kg kumite class, and said individual male Ahmad Zigi Zarest Putra.

While the silver medal from Cok Istri Agung (woman's individual committee -55 kg), Ari Saputra (men's individual committee -60kg), said the team male, said the team fee.

The bronze medal for the Hutapea Cliff (men's individual committee -67 kg), Dessyinta Rakaweni Banurea (68 kg individual women kumite), Ceyco Georgia (68 kg individual women kumite), Ignatius Joshua Kandau (75 kg individual kumite), said individual female (Krisda Putri Aprilia).