Keeping Zohri, Keeping Optimism of Indonesia’s Athletics

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

National sprinter Lalu Muhammad Zohri is undergoing speed endurance training at Madya Senayan Stadium, Jakarta, Friday (3/5/2019). In the training, only two national sprinters were deemed to have good running techniques so they were able to approach the optimal speed, namely Lalu Muhammad Zohri and Bayu Kertanegara.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The success of young sprinter Lalu Muhammad Zohri, 18, in improving the national record in the men\'s 100-meter sprint with a record time of 10.03 seconds should be accompanied with a caution in coaching. This is considering the long journey Zohri has ahead of him in his career.Zohri improved his time in the 2019 Seiko Golden Grand Prix Championship final in Osaka, Japan, on Sunday (19/5/2019). His record also means that the runner from North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, qualifies for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which has a qualifying standard of 10.05 seconds.

Competing as the youngest of nine runners, Zohri ranked third. He competed against elite international runners, such as world champion Justin Gatlin from the United States. Zohri, who ran on the outermost lane, finished only 0.03 seconds after Gatlin, who won the championship with a time of 10.00 seconds. In second place was Asian champion Yoshihide Kiryu with 10.01 seconds.

Previously, Zohri recorded 10.13 seconds in the 100-meter national run at the 2019 Asian Athletics Championship in Doha, Qatar, on April 22, 2019. This record broke the previous record of Suryo Agung Wibowo, who clocked in at 10.17 seconds.

PB PASI secretary-general Tigor Tanjung said the key to Zohri\'s success was discipline, a good understanding of coaches\' instructions and a determination to face strong opponents. "I consider Zohri\'s determination as extraordinary. He was very challenged in facing formidable rivals. Zohri also had the initiative to practice on his own outside of the coaching schedule," he said.

According to Tigor, Zohri deserved to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics despite his young age. "This result is also a reminder for us to be more careful in developing Zohri because he still has a long career ahead of him," Tigor said.

Tigor said international sprinters were usually at their peak between the ages of 22 and 26. Therefore, special attention must be given to Zohri, both in technical and non-technical terms, such as ensuring that he is not injured. "We also have to make sure that no non-technical things interfere with practice. After all, he is still a teenager. Many things can be tempting and interfere with training, "said Tigor.

Based on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualification system published by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), there are two ways to get into the Olympics. Both are based on the best time record for the men\'s 100-meter sprint and world rankings. The quota of athletes for this race is 56 people. The deadline for qualification is June 29, 2020.

If Zohri can realize his aspirations to compete in the Olympics, he will be the first Indonesian sprinter to participate in the world’s multisport event since Afdiharto Mardi Lestari in Seoul 1988. RI also has sweet memories of sending Purnomo, the late retired sprinter, to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

Thank you

From Osaka, Japan, Zohri thanked the people of Indonesia. "I thank God and am grateful for the support of the Indonesian people, especially residents of NTB. For prayers and community support, PB PASI, PB PASI general chairman Bob Hasan, coach and friends, I can make achievements for Indonesia, "he said.

Something to be more proud of is the fact that during the championship at Yanmar Stadium in Nagai Osaka, Zohri competed against elite international sprinters. In addition to Justin Gatlin, who had beaten

Usain Bolt in 9.74 seconds, Zohri also competed against Kendal Williams (US) and Kiryu Yuihihide and Ryota Yamagata (Japan).

These runners have a better record of time than Zohri. Williams, for example, has a record time of 9.99 seconds. Williams ranked 8th. "It feels extraordinary to compete against elite international runners," Zohri said.

Before competing in Osaka, Zohri had twice improved on Suryo Agung men\'s 100-meter run national record. Appearing in the semifinals of the Asian Athletics Championship in Doha, Qatar, at the end of April, Zohri recorded a new national record of 10.15 seconds in the championship semifinal. In the final round, he again improved the record to 10.13 seconds and won the silver medal. Only from a month of training, the national record grew sharply to 10.03 seconds.

According to Tigor, Zohri\'s performance was in line with the period of training. Furthermore, Zohri is scheduled to participate in the 2019 Asian Grand Prix in Chongqing, China, on June 4 and 7, 2019, and the IAAF World Championship in Doha on Sept. 27 and Oct. 6. "We hope that Zohri\'s performance will improve over time," said Tigor.

HUMAS PB PASI

The results of the men\'s 100 meter run at the 2019 Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Osaka, Japan, show Indonesian sprinter Lalu Muhammad Zohri finishing third at 10.03 seconds. His finish time broke his own national record (10.13 seconds) and ensured he qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Growing optimism

Zohri\'s success also has had a broad impact. Not only is his achievement a source of pride, but it has also increased the optimism of young people in NTB, especially in his hometown Pemenang village, North Lombok.

At first, young people there were wary of aiming high. However, after Zohri carved out many world achievements, young people there now do not hesitate to dream of becoming an international world athlete like Zohri.

"In the past, when I found a gifted child, I desperately tried to persuade them to practice running. But many didn\'t want to. They said it was a waste of time. If they wanted to be an athlete, they wanted to be a soccer player. No one wanted to be a runner, "said Rosida, Zohri\'s sports teacher at SMP 1 state junior high school in Pemenang.

However, since Zohri made international achievements one by one, the enthusiasm of young people in running is growing. The night run or inter-village run is becoming more popular in NTB, especially in North Lombok.

In fact, now NTB children want to be runners. They reflect on Zohri, who comes from the same village as them and has excelled internationally. Suddenly, Zohri has become a hero who has increased the confidence of local youths in aiming for a better life.

"We live in the same locale. I trained with Zohri. Our training has been the same. But Zohri has proven that he can succeed and excel at the international level. I am sure that I can be like Zohri if I have the determination and practice hard, "said Agus, who is also a NTB PPLP student.

Rosida shared the same optimism. Now, more and more students are confident in their hopes of becoming runners in order to be able to perform like Zohri. By running, they want to change their destiny and improve their families\' lives, as Zohri has done through his achievements. (DRI/DNA)