With only two weeks before their departure, Indonesia's top volleyball ers, Koko Prasetyo Darkuncoro and Andy Ardiansyah, do not want to miss training, even if it means braving the rain.
"We are currently concentrating on strengthening our teamwork," Koko told The Jakarta Post during a training session at the Senayan beach-volleyball court in Jakarta on Wednesday.
He said that even when it rained, he and partner Andy continued to practise in order to maintain their form. They hope the hard work will pay off at their next competition.
"Hopefully, we can set up an all Indonesian final like we did in the Southeast Asian Games *SEA* in the Philippines," Koko said.
Koko and Andy, who have been paired since 2006, are Indonesia's best hope to continue the team's gold strike since 2005 in beach volleyball, thanks in part to Andy's role.
At the 2005 SEA Games in the Philippines, Andy, then pairing with Supriadi, won the gold before taking his second in 2007 in Thailand with Koko.
The team also expects to win a silver from either the men's doubles pair, Dian Putra Santosa/Suratna, and women's pair, Devota Saveriana Rahawarin/Ayu Cahyaning Siam, and Yokbeth Kapasingan/Eva Susilawati.
Ayu and Devota have been urged to redeem their form after the last SEA Games in which they missed out on a medal.
Thailand's volleyballers are still considered the toughest contenders, after winning the women's title and taking the men's silver in 2007.
Koko said that he and teammates were well prepared for the challenge.
"We have built solid teamwork and are ready to play any opponents in Laos," said Koko.
Koko and Andy, whose victory in last year's Asian Beach Games in Bali justified their Asian credentials, look to have tuned well ahead of the Laos trip, having reached the main draw of Sanya Open - the FIVB World Tour event - in China, in October.
They were defeated by eventual tournament winners Reinder Nummerdor and Richard Schuil of the Netherlands.
The Sanya Open marked their return to the world's major tournaments after two years of absence due to budget constraints.
