It’s no easy task: Indonesia’s Rusdi Rusdi (in red) returning the ball during their Group A preliminary match against Myanmar at the Jinhua Sports Centre. — AP
STRIFE-TORN Myanmar won their first medal at the Asian Games, beating Indonesia to take home gold in men’s sepak takraw.
The South-East Asian nation took two straight sets from Indonesia in the sport with similarities to volleyball, but played only with the feet, knees, head and chest.
Myanmar have been overwhelmed by violence since the military seized power in February 2021 from the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The takeover triggered mass non-violent protests nationwide and the military and police responded with deadly force.
That gave rise to armed resistance, which has since turned into what UN experts have characterised as a civil war.
In comments after the sepak takraw win, Burmese player Tun Thant Zin said the team were dedicating the gold medal “to our people back home”.
“This is our first gold medal in Hangzhou,” he said. “It has been very difficult for us to win but our coaching staff and the players have been very united and we deserved to win this.”
Sepak takraw originated in rural South-East Asia, with several countries laying claim to creating it. Its name is a literal translation, with “sepak” coming from the term used for kick in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, and “takraw” being the Thai word for the woven ball.
It’s known for its eye-catching acrobatic, overhead kicks and somersaulting leaps to the height of the net from the two teams of three players each. It was first incorporated into the Asian Games in 1990.
Myanmar beat Indonesia two straight in the best of three, 21-13 and 24-22.
The team had lost to Indonesia two days earlier, but coach Aung Cho Myint said after the win that they were confident and prepared for the final.
“We studied their tactics,” he said.
Indonesia’s Rusdi Rusdi said his team were grateful for the silver, but had also felt well prepared to win gold.
“I thought both teams were equal,” he said. “Maybe it wasn’t meant for us today.” — AP
