Indonesian Athletes Try the Arena

AFP/PHILIP FONG

Performers dance during the welcoming programme for a "flame gathering event" for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Torch Relay at the Metropolitan Government Building in Tokyo on August 20, 2021, ahead of the start of the Paralympic Games on August 24.

TOKYO, SUNDAY — Two days before the opening of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics on Tuesday (24/8/2021), almost all participating Indonesian athletes underwent their first practice session, training to adapting to the new competitive setting.

The deputy secretary-general of the Indonesian National Paralympics Committee (NPC), Rima Ferdianto, said only a few Indonesian athletes had not trained at the Tokyo Paralympics arena. They are shooting athletes Hanik Puji Astuti and Bolo Triyanto who are still in Indonesia and athletics athletes who had not been scheduled to try out the race track.

“A number of athletes in Tokyo have started official training. We are waiting for two para-shooters. They are going to fly to Tokyo on Monday," said Rima when contacted from Jakarta on Sunday (22/8).

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Hanik and Bolo will come accompanied by coach Haris Hariyadi and three staffers. Both will train at the Asaka Shooting Range and are scheduled to compete on 30 August, 2021. Hanik will compete in the SH1 10 meters women\'s air rifle standing. In addition, Hanik will also duet with Bolo in the mixed 10 m air rifle prone SH2.

The SH1 classification is for athletes with pistol and rifle numbers who do not require special standing aids. The SH2 classification is for athletes who have upper limb disorders and require a standing aid.

“My preparation to compete in the Paralympics has been quite good. Technical, physical and performance preparations are in line with the expected targets," Hanik said in an NPC press release.

Athletes from each country were given the opportunity to try the field for a maximum of two hours.

In the para-table tennis category, Indonesian athletes underwent three training sessions; two at the match location in the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium and one at a location provided by the committee. Athletes from each country were given the opportunity to try the field for a maximum of two hours.

Indonesian para-table tennis athlete David Jacobs said practicing at the competition location felt different because the place was so grand. The bouncing of the ball produced by the Olympic table was slightly different from the table at the national training camp. However, Jacobs said he was able to adapt his skills during the two official training sessions.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Indonesian para-table tennis athlete David Jacobs.

"I was adapting with the table. At first, it was just adjusting. I practiced making serves on the table, then monitored how the ball bounced. I also learned how fast the ball moved during a strike; I already know that," said Jacobs.

Para-bike racing

In para-cycling, Indonesian athlete Muhammad Fadli Imammuddin tested the Izu Velodrome track in Shizuoka, which is the location of the bicycle race. Before training, he underwent a doping test.

Fadli tried the track for three and a half hours. Fadli started by training to adapt to the track conditions using various gears.

Fadli\'s coach, Fadilah Umar, said he did not know the strength of the competitors.

Fadli closed the official training session by trying four laps in several different gears to determine the speed, lap, heart rate and time of each lap. Fadli\'s coach, Fadilah Umar, said he did not know the strength of the competitors.

"The list of cyclists will only be released by the committee after it finishes checking their licenses and control jerseys, as well as after a technical meeting, which will be held on 24 August," he said.

AFP/EVERT ELZINGA /ANP

Dutch retired wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer, takes a selfie at the Amsterdam Schipol international airport on August 11, 2021 before boarding for Tokyo as head of the Dutch team during the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.

The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics is Fadli\'s first opportunity to compete in the Paralympics since he decided to become a para-cycling athlete in 2017. (IGA)

(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswoko).