Members of Myanmar’s dragon boat racing team walk through Yangon International Airport last week on their return from the Asian Beach Games 2008, held in Bali, Indonesia, from October 18 to 26. The dragon boat rowers took two gold medals in their events. Pic: Hein Latt Aung

MYANMAR’S men’s dragon boat team were the toast of the country last week, returning from the 1st Asian Beach Games in Indonesia with two gold medals and a silver.

The team was victorious in the 250-metre and 500m events and also claimed silver in the 1000m, losing out to host nation Indonesia on October 20. The nine-day games began on October 18 and wound up on October 26.

The Myanmar represen-tatives got revenge on their Indonesian rivals the following day, taking out the 500m ahead of the Indonesian crew and then asserted their dominance in the dragon boat category by smashing their rivals in 250m on October 22.

Officials attributed the loss in the 1000m event to the rowers’ unfamiliarity with the shallow conditions at West Suwung Lake, on the Indonesian island of Bali.
“Due to the shallow water depth, our paddlers initially found the going tough, particularly in the 1000m events and had to be satisfied with the silver medal, behind the host nation, Indonesia,” said an official of Myanmar Rowing and Canoeing Federation after the team returned to Yangon on October 23.

“But the experience we gained from competing in the 1000m event helped our rowers achieve success in the 250m and 500m events and finish ahead of their Indonesian rivals,” he said.

TAKE THAT! Myanmar's Zaw Latt (left) smashes the ball as an Indonesian player looks on during the sepak takraw semi final on October 20 at the inaugural Asian Beach Games on the Indonesian island of Bali. Myanmar won 21-13, 16-21, 15-12. Pic: AFP

“We were expecting China, Japan and Philippines to provide us with more competition but the Japanese outfit was a club team and while China and Philippines were strong they also had problems with the shallow water. So, as usual, the host nation Indonesia was really the only serious challenge for us.”

The Indonesian dragon boat team manager acknowledged Myanmar’s dominance in the 500m class after they pipped the Indonesians for the gold medal.

“In sprint class they [Myanmar] are really strong, but in the 250m sprint, we will try to break their domination,” he said, according to games official website
But his optimism was misplaced, after the Myanmar men’s team asserted their authority with victory in the 250m.

The wins provided further evidence that Myanmar possesses one of the strongest dragon boat teams in South Asia. They consistently win the most gold medals at Southeast Asian rowing meets.

Seven countries – Japan, China, Macau, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Myanmar –took part in dragon boat events in Bali.

The Myanmar Beach Games delegation, which also competed in beach sepak takraw, beach volleyball, beach football and body building, took home a total of two gold and two silver medals.

The remaining silver was won by the men’s beach sepak takraw side, who lost out in final to arch-rival Thailand team.