Indonesia's medal quest in weightlifting at the 15th Asian Games in Doha will face a tough challenge from Southeast Asian stronghold Thailand.

"Learning from the results in the World Weightlifting Championships in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, our medal hopeful Raema Lisa Rumbewas may win a silver," team manager Syafriadi Cut Ali was quoted Friday by The Jakarta Post newspaper as saying.

"We have to be watchful of Thailand's team as we don't know their strength. They rarely compete in the same events with us."

One of Lisa's toughest rivals will be the 2005 World Championships silver medalist Junpim Kuntatean. The 22-year-old also won a silver at last year's SEA Games in the Philippines.

Lisa, a two-time Olympics silver medalist, will show her prowess in the women's 53 kilogram category at the Al-Dana Club in the Khalifa International Squash and Tennis complex.

If she finishes at the podium, she will be the first medal contributor for the country.

The 26-year-old Papuan took a bronze at the women's under 48 kg in the 2002 Asiad in Busan, South Korea.

Junior Okta Dwi Pramita, 20, will back up Lisa in the new weight division.

The National Sports Council (KONI) has tipped weightlifting to bring home two medals from the Asiad. In addition to Lisa's silver medal target, KONI also hopes that Triyatno, competing at the men's 56 kg class, can earn a bronze.

Sinta Darmariani, meanwhile, is expected to finish in the top four in the women's 75 kg division.

"We have also put high hopes on Eko Yuli Irawan as he has a very strong motivation to win," Syafriadi said.

The 17-year-old, who finished second in the World Junior Weightlifting Championship in Venezuela early this year, will compete in the men's 56 kg class with Triyatno.

Eko lifted a total of 150 kg, only 2 kg below the eventual winner at the junior worlds.

However, his performance was far below his personal best of 160kg set in training sessions.