Raema Lisa Rumbewas, the history-making lifter, passes away

Raema Lisa Rumbewas passed away with a series of achievements and achievements in the history of Indonesian weightlifting.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Raema Lisa Rumbewas, Lifter Pencetak Sejarah Itu, Berpulang

KOMPAS/ARBAIN RAMBEY

Lisa Rumbewas received a kiss from her mother after winning a silver medal in the 53-kilogram weightlifting event at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Legendary Indonesian weightlifter, Raema Lisa Rumbewas, passed away on Sunday (14/1/2024) early morning, at the Jayapura Regional General Hospital in Papua. The historical figure from "Land of Cendrawasih" passed away at the age of 43. Until her final days, Lisa continued to dedicate herself to weightlifting.

The sad news was conveyed by former Indonesian weightlifter, Hadi Wihardja. Hadi received the news on Sunday morning from Lisa's family.

"I remember Lisa as someone who was very focused in every training and competition. That made her a legend. She was a female weightlifter who participated in the Olympics three times and won three medals," said Hadi.

Also read: Pride Lifter from the Earth of Cendrawasih

Hadi cited the moment leading up to the 2000 Sydney Olympics as an example. At the time, Hadi was already a member of the Indonesian Weightlifting Association (PABSI) and witnessed Lisa's determination to become the top lifter in the 48 kilogram class.

KOMPAS/DANU KUSWORO

Weightlifting athlete Raema Lisa Rumbewas, who collected a total lift of 217 kilograms, failed to win a bronze medal in the 53 kg women's category at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, Qatar. Hong Kong athlete Wei Li Yu, who had the same total lift as Lisa, was declared the bronze medalist due to her lighter body weight.

Furthermore, it was Lisa's debut at the Olympics. In order to fulfill her determination of becoming the best lifter, Lisa always arrives on time for training sessions and follows her coach's instructions well. This has earned the Jayapura-born lifter a silver medal.

The achievement earned by Lisa is a milestone for Indonesia. She contributed the first medal for the "Red and White" team in the event. The feat is also exceptional because it was achieved when the women's weightlifting event was played for the first time in the Olympics.

Lisa, who was only 20 years old at that time, was doubted because she was young and had little experience. However, the son of former national bodybuilder, Levinus Rumbewas, has succeeded in silencing those doubts. He lifted a total of 185 kilograms (snatch 80 kg, clean and jerk 105 kg).

Also read: Determination to Rise in Weightlifting for the Highest Stage

Initially, the group brought Lisa to win a bronze medal. However, a few days later, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped Izabela Dragneva of her gold medal due to a positive doping test. Lisa eventually moved up one level and won a silver medal.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

Former national weightlifter Lisa Rumbewas (center) was moved when she received a certificate of appreciation as the winner of the bronze medal for the 53-kilogram weightlifting event at the Beijing 2008 Olympics from senior member of the International Olympic Committee, Rita Soebowo (left), and Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, Erick Thohir (right), in Jakarta.

Lisa's progress then continued at the 2004 Athens Olympics. At this event, Lisa made another achievement by winning silver. Dropping at 53 kg, Lisa lifted a total of 210 kg (snatch 95 kg, clean and jerk 115 kg).

More than a decade later, Lisa confirmed her victory of the bronze medal in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, making it her third Olympic medal. This confirmation came after the re-testing of samples from the 2008 Beijing Olympics in 2016, which revealed that Belarusian weightlifter, Nastassia Novikava, who won the bronze medal, had tested positive for doping.

Lisa's journey to reach the podium in the Olympics was not easy. At the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Lisa had an epileptic seizure during the competition.

The bronze medal was awarded to Lisa, who originally placed fourth. In December 2017, Lisa received the medal in Jakarta.

Lisa has finally established herself as the first Indonesian female weightlifter, and also the first from Papua, who consistently secures medals in all three of her participations at the Olympics.

Epilepsy

. Lisa's journey to reach the podium at the Olympics was not easy. At the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Lisa's epilepsy flared up during the competition. Ida Aldamina KorwaI, Lisa's mother who pioneered weightlifting in Papua, was not allowed to enter the athlete room. The reason was that Ida was not part of the official team. Yet, she knew best how to take care of her daughter.

From afar, the mother saw her child unconscious. "I can only pray. If God gives Lisa the chance to become an athlete, God will surely provide protection for my child," said Ida in 2017.

Some time later, Lisa regained her consciousness and was able to continue the competition. When she was declared to have won the silver medal, Lisa's expression remained flat. She is known to be a lifter who always appears "cold".

Also read: Determination to Rise in Weightlifting for the Highest Stage

“My job is to lift weights. I tried my best. "After that, yes, that's it, I don't really care about the results," said Lisa (Kompas, 16 December 2017).

Epilepsy actually once caused Lisa to be prohibited from practicing weightlifting by her family. However, the illness that was initially considered a barrier actually became motivation for Lisa to appear strong. Lisa then continued to practice with her mother.

PB PABSI/HADI WIHARDJA

Raema Lisa Rumbewas (second from the right) poses with her mother, Ida Aldamina Korwa, her father, Levinus Rumbewas, and Head of Development and Performance Division of the Indonesian Weightlifting Association (PABSI), Hadi Wihardja in Papua in 2017.

Lisa showcased her brilliance for the first time in the 1997 Junior National Championships. Lisa won the gold medal in the 44 kg category. In the same event a year later, she claimed the title of the best junior lifter in the 48 kg category.

Besides winning three Olympic medals, Lisa also achieved regional success. The lifter, who continued her life as a civil servant after retiring, earned a silver medal at the 2001 Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. She also secured a similar medal at the 2006 World Weightlifting Championships in Santo Domingo, Dominica. At the 2009 SEA Games, Lisa won a gold medal in the 58 kg class.

Developing weightlifting

Until the end of her life, Lisa still dedicated herself to weightlifting. After retiring, Lisa trained weightlifting for children around her home in Jayapura.

He hopes there will be other weightlifters who follow in his footsteps, winning three Olympic medals. However, achievements do not simply fall from the sky. Achievements require hard work.

"Even though there are complete facilities, the most important thing is actually the child's desire to excel," said Lisa. (Kompas, 16/12/2017).

PB PABSI/HADI WIHARDJA

Lisa Rumbewas' mother, Ida Aldamina Korwa, and father, Levinus Rumbewas, showed the area where Lisa trains children around her house during a visit by the Head of Development and Achievement at the Indonesian Weightlifting Association (PABSI), Hadi Wihardja, in 2017.

Hadi Wihardja stated that Lisa, along with her mother, is truly interested in growing weightlifting in Papua. Even with limited equipment, they continue to strive in order to bring back impressive weightlifting achievements for Papuan athletes.