Defying Age Limitations

KOMPAS/DENTY PIAWAI NASTITIE

Lisa Setiawati, a 45-kg class lifter, is in action at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Philippines, Sunday (1/12/2019). Lisa won silver after lifting a total of 169 kg, consisting of a 73 kg snatch and 96 kg clean and jerk.

Senior lifter Lisa Setiawati’s struggle in maintaining her motivation can be a lesson for young athletes currently fighting for the “Red and White” team at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

MANILA, KOMPAS — Lisa Setiawati has participated in the national training camps (pelatnas) since 2012, tirelessly fighting on behalf of Indonesia at international events. Lisa’s dream finally came true at the age of 31, at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.

In the twilight of her athletic career, Lisa aimed for gold in the 45-kilogram (kg) lifting category. However, a small mistake during the snatch resulted in her winning “only” the silver on Sunday (1/12/2019) at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, the Philippines.

Lisa’s win contributed to Indonesia’s medal tally of one gold, four silvers and five bronzes to rank sixth overall by 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. The four silvers were from the women’s 45 kg weightlifting, women’s hoop sepak takraw, women’s minus-63 kg kurash and women’s minus-52 kg kurash. The five bronzes were from men’s 55 kg weightlifting, men’s and women’s individual triathlons, men’s +90 kg kurash and women’s individual senior ice skating.

Lisa’s efforts at her first and likely last SEA Games on Sunday could serve as a lesson for junior athletes. In her last try at the clean and jerk, Lisa tried to close the 3-kilogram gap between her and Vietnamese lifter Vuong Thi Huyen.

Lisa attempted 100 kg, far exceeding her maximum training weight of 95 kg. Upon her attempt, her knees shook and she collapsed before she could execute the lift. Lisa lay down on the floor, sobbing and regretting her missed opportunity at the gold.

KOMPAS/DENTY PIAWAI NASTITIE

Lisa Setiawati, a 45-kg class lifter, wipes tears on her cheek after winning a silver medal at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Philippines, Sunday (1/12/2019). Lisa lifted a total of 169 kg, consisting of a 73 kg snatch and 96 kg clean and jerk.

Lisa won silver with a total lift of 169 kg (73 kg snatch and 96 kg clean and jerk), while Vietnam’s Vuong Thi Huyen won gold with a 172 kg total lift (77 kg snatch and 95 kg clean and jerk). Philippines lifter Diaz Mary Flor won bronze with a total lift of 159 kg.

During the medal ceremony, Lisa remained with her head bowed down and she was visibly weeping. “Lisa, smile, Lisa! Chin up! You’ve done your best!” said 69 kg lifter Deni.

“I am sorry, I have given my best. For young lifters, I say, do not give up easily and stay strong,” said Lisa.

“Age does not determine your performance, but it determines where we are. I regret not trying harder to become an athlete when I was younger. We sacrifice our family and our time as athletes. You must not compromise, and you must not complain,” she said.

They are yet to reach their peak and lack experience. However, achievements are still possible for them if they fight with their hearts and minds.

This is a strong message for the 840 “Red and White” athletes competing in the Philippines, around half of whom are youths. They are yet to reach their peak and lack experience. However, achievements are still possible for them if they fight with their hearts and minds.

Debutant tennis athletes M. Rifqi Fitriadi and Priska Madelyn Nugroho, among others, displayed such motivation. They will be facing the bigwigs as they get their first taste at the SEA Games.

“I will face one of my favorites here. Clearly, he has more experience. I will play patiently against Hoang,” said Rifqi, who faces third-seed Hoang Nam Ly from Vietnam in the second round of the men’s singles.

Priska, 16, Indonesia’s youngest tennis athlete, also promised to give her best, although she will be facing first-seed Peangtarn Plipuech from Thailand in the quarterfinals. “I will focus more on my own game,” said Priska, who still competes in junior tournaments.

ANTARA FOTO/NYOMAN BUDHIANA

The Indonesian contingent participates in the opening ceremony of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the Philippine Arena, Bulacan, Philippines, Saturday (30/11/2019). The biggest sports party in Southeast Asia was officially opened and will last until December 11, 2019.

Maintaining motivation

Junior weightlifters also face similar challenges. Six of the 10 Indonesian weightlifters at the 2019 SEA Games are under 18: are Windy Cantika Aisah (49 kg), Juliana Klarisa (55 kg), Putri Aulia Andriani (59 kg), Bernadicta Babela Mei Study (64 kg), Tsabitha Alfiah Ramadani (71 kg) and Rahmat Erwin Abdullah (73 kg).

These young athletes can reflect on Lisa’s persistence in pursuing her dream of becoming an elite athlete since she was 17. Lisa overcame many obstacles, including not having her parents’ blessing and consistently being defeated by her pelatnas peer Sri Wahyuni Agustiani, who won gold at the 2013 SEA Games and silver at the 2016 Olympics and the 2018 Asian Games.

They punished Lisa if they discovered that she had been training, and even hid her training shoes to prevent her from training.

Lisa is the eldest of four children born to Haryanto, 56, and Rohayati, 51. Her parents are fried rice vendors, and opposed her training for weightlifting, as they feared it could affect her physical development. They punished Lisa if they discovered that she had been training, and even hid her training shoes to prevent her from training.

However, Lisa refused to give up. In 2006, she emerged the runner-up in a competition in Karawang, West Java. She used the cash prize of Rp 10 million (US$710.93) to purchase a refrigerator and other needs. On seeing Lisa’s persistence, her parents finally relented and gave her their blessing.

After winning several national championships, Lisa was invited to join the weightlifting pelatnas in 2012. She was assigned to the 49 kg class alongside Sri Wahyuni. However, over the years, she drifted in and out of the pelatnas, as she always lost to Sri Wahyuni.

Nevertheless, Lisa prevailed. She continued training in her home region of East Kalimantan, and was once again called to join the pelatnas in 2019, as the coaches believed she had a chance at gold in the new 45 kg class at the 2019 SEA Games.

ANTARA/SIGID KURNIAWAN

Two Indonesian U-22 national team players, Asnawi Mangkualam (far left) and Andy Setyo (right) fall down after a goal is made by a Vietnamese national team player at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Group B match at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines, Sunday (1/12/2019) . Indonesia lost 1-2 to Vietnam.

Youth and Sports Minister Zainuddin Amali praised Lisa’s performance, even though she did not win gold. “Lisa was extraordinary. Winning a silver medal is not easy. Lisa has made Indonesia proud. May this spur the spirit of other athletes,” Zainuddin said at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Indonesia’s Surahmat also went all out in his medal bid. He won bronze in the 55 kg class with a total lift of 250 kg (110 kg snatch and 140 kg clean and jerk). Vietnam’s Gia Thanh Lai won gold with 264 kg (122 kg snatch and 142 kg clean and jerk), while the Philppines’ John Fabliar Ceniza won silver with a total lift of 252 kg.

Surahmat, who is 31, was first introduced to weightlifting in 2004 in Blora, Central Java. A long-time pelatnas participant since 2011, he held fast to the message from his parents Suwoto, 92, and Sumini, 85, that “cutting down the forest cannot be done half-heartedly”. “So, if I decided to become an athlete, I must fight to become a champion,” said the 2017 SEA Games 56 kg silver medalist.

Typhoon Kammuri

Regarding the potential of the Games being disrupted due to bad weather, Typhoon Kammuri is expected to make landfall on Tuesday (3/12) at Luzon island.

“Manila, located in southern Luzon, will be affected by the typhoon,” Indonesian Ambassador to the Philippines, Sinyo Harry Sarundajang, said in Manila on Saturday.

ANTARA FOTO/SIGID KURNIAWAN

Indonesian U-22 national team player Saddil Ramdani (right) fights for the ball with Vietnam national team player Nguyen Trong Hoang in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Group B match at Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines, Sunday (1/12/2019). Indonesia lost 1-2 to Vietnam.

“The sailing race in Subic and the cycling race in Batangas are delayed for one day, while the triathlon in Subic was moved up one day. This is to anticipate the adverse effects from the typhoon,” said Harry Warganegara, the head of Indonesia’s 2019 SEA Games delegation.