Difficult Work Lies Ahead

The Indonesian weightlifting team cannot yet breathe a sigh of relief as difficult work lies ahead for them to make it through to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

KOMPAS/DENTY PIAWAI NASTITIE

Weightlifter Rahmat Erwin Abdullah competes in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) men’s individual 73-kilogram final on Wednesday (4/12/2019) at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, the Philippines. Rahmat lifted a total of 322 kg (145 kg snatch; 177 kg clean and jerk) to win the gold medal.

MANILA, KOMPAS – The Indonesian weightlifting team ended its participation at the Philippines 2019 Southeast Asian Games by bringing home four gold medals, one silver and five bronzes. Despite each lifter having contributed one medal, the team cannot yet breathe a sigh of relief as difficult work lies ahead for them to make it through to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Indonesia’s weightlifting medal tally was bested only by Vietnam with four gold medals, five silvers and one bronze. Indonesia’s fourth gold in the sport was won by young lifter Rahmat Erwin Abdullah at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila on Wednesday (4/12/2019). Rahmat, who participated in the 73-kilogram class, lifted a total of 322 kilograms (145 kg in snatch and 177 kg in clean and jerk).

Through his gold medal, Rahmat followed in the footsteps of lifters Windy Cantika Aisah (women’s 49 kg class), Eko Yuli Irawan (men’s 61 kg) and Deni (men’s 67 kg).

Meanwhile, the silver was won by female lifter Lisa Setiawati (45 kg). The five bronzes were snatched by Juliana Klarisa (55 kg), Putri Aulia Andriani (59 kg), Bernadicta Mei Study (64 kg), Tsabitha Alfiah Ramadani (71 kg) and Surahmat (55 kg).

Only Eko Yuli has secured a spot at the Olympics.

Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI) deputy chairperson Djoko Pramono said that he was very proud of the weightlifting team’s achievements. “However, difficult work lies ahead. Only six months are left in the Olympics qualification period. Hopefully, our young athletes pass the qualification,” Djoko said.

Of the 13 athletes in the national weightlifting training camp, only Eko Yuli has secured a spot at the Olympics. “Windy is right at the gates. The other lifters still have much work to do,” Djoko said.

KOMPAS/DENTY PIAWAI NASTITIE

The Indonesian men\'s badminton team takes a selfie on winning the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games team gold on Wednesday (12/04/2019), when it defeated Malaysia 3-1 In the final at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Manila, the Philippines.

With six months to go before the Olympics, Indonesia’s weightlifting team plans to participate in five championships included in the Olympics’ qualification, such as the 2020 Asian Weightlifting Championships. Djoko said he hoped the government would fully support local lifters in their efforts to compete in the Olympics.

“After the SEA Games, the national training camp continues to the Olympics. Funding must not be delayed as this is already the year’s end,” he said. If the national training camp is disrupted, athletes’ training schedule will be in disarray.

I was pressured as all of my friends had won medals and I had yet to.

Meanwhile, Rahmat said that he was very glad about his achievements at the 2019 SEA Games. Performing on weightlifting’s last day made him feel under a lot of pressure. “I was pressured as all of my friends had won medals and I had yet to,” he said.

Despite having won gold, Rahmat said that he was still not satisfied. “Hopefully, I will lift better. I still have targets to break the junior world record and make it through to the Olympics,” he said. Rahmat also wishes to break his father Erwin Abdullah’s record of winning six SEA Games medals.

KOMPAS/DENTY PIAWAI NASTITIE

The Indonesian men\'s badminton team celebrates on the court on winning the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games team gold at the final on Wednesday (12/04/2019), when it defeated Malaysia 3-1 at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Manila, the Philippines.

Rifda disappointed

On the other hand, Indonesian mainstay gymnast Rifda Irfanaluthfi, 20, failed to win gold in floor exercise at Manila’s Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday (4/12). Rifda performed well at the highest level of difficulty but was only able to win silver. Malaysian gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, 25, won the gold.

Rifda scored 12.333 points against Farah’s 12.600. Rifda scored 4.800 and Farah 4.600 in level of difficulty. However, Farah excelled in execution with a score of 8.000 against Rifda’s 7.533.

“Rifda’s performance was clean. We think the referee is a little bit unfair,” Indonesian gymnastics team manager Dian Arifin said. According to Dian, it was a little odd that one of the referees was from Malaysia. Rifda won appreciation from many in the arena, including from the Malaysian team.

We think the referee is a little bit unfair.

In total, Rifda won one gold and three silvers. The second gold from gymnastics was won by Agus Prayoko, 30, in men’s vault. Agus’ gold was part of the five golds, seven silvers and 11 bronzes that Indonesia won on Wednesday.

Bowling contributed two golds through men’s pair Billy Muhammad Islam and Harly Rachmadian, as well as through women’s pair Sharon A. Liman Santoso and Tanya Roumimper. Another gold was won by the men’s badminton team. (DEN)