Indonesia’s First Gold Medal to Pave the Way for More

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

The Indonesian men's paralympic badminton team won a gold medal in the final of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games team badminton at the UMS Edutorium, Sukoharjo, Central Java, Sunday (31/7/2022). The first gold in the 2022 ASEAN Para Games was won after beating Thailand.

SURAKARTA, SUNDAY – The Indonesian national anthem “Indonesia Raya” was played at the University Muhammadiyah Surakarta Edutorium, the badminton arena for the 2022 ASEAN Para Games in Surakarta on Sunday (31/7/2022). The Indonesian Paralympic badminton men’s team retained their gold medal after beating Vietnam and Thailand 3-0 each. Indonesia has been unbeaten in the badminton event among disabled athletes from Southeast Asia and Asia.

On the second day of the ASEAN Para Games, Indonesia also won five gold medals and three silvers in table tennis as well as a bronze in the men’s 3 by 3 wheelchair basketball. However, these medals have not been included in the ranking calculation because no medal ceremony has been held yet.

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Five golds in table tennis were won from the men’s TT10 team, the women’s TT10 team, the women’s TT8 team, the men’s TT4 team and the men’s TT9 team. The silver medals won in table tennis were from the men’s TT607 team, the men’s TT1-3 team and the men’s TT5 team.

“Many medals were won today in table tennis but they do not count yet because the medal ceremony hasn’t been held,” said Rima Ferdianto, secretary-general of the 2022 ASEAN Para Games organizing committee.

The medal ceremony for the men’s SL3-SU5 team was held after Indonesia won 3-0 against Thailand on Sunday afternoon.

The medals that do count were only the ones won from badminton. The medal ceremony for the men’s SL3-SU5 team was held after Indonesia won 3-0 against Thailand on Sunday afternoon.

Dominating

Indonesia dominates the men’s SL3-SU5 team because it has athletes of equal quality in each classification, from SL3, SL4 and SU5. This encourages stiff competition among the national teams, which is crucial to raise the level of the game.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Residents watch and capture the 2022 ASEAN Para Games torch relay at Sriwedari Stadium, Surakarta City, Central Java, Sunday (24/7/2022). The city of Surakarta has twice hosted the ASEAN Para Games.

Because of this consistent regeneration, Indonesia has never lost a competition in the men’s SL3-SU5 team, including at the ASEAN Para Games in 2022, 2015 and 2022. The red-and-white team also won gold in this event at the 2018 Asian Para Games.

Indonesia won 3-0 against Vietnam in the first match. Men’s singles SL4 player Fredy Setiawan won 21-10, 21-11 against Ta Truc, SL3-SU5 doubles players Hafizh Briliansyah Prawiranegara and Ukun Rukaendi won 21-5, 21-13 against Bui Min Hai and Nguyen Van Thuong. Men’s singles SU5 Suryo Nugroho also beat Van Anh Tuan, 21-10, 21-11.

Fredy won 21-19, 21-12 against Thailand’s Kitichokwattana Chawarat. Hafizh, who was paired with Harry Susanto, won 21-13, 21-13 against Chok-Uthaikul Watcharaphon and Teamarrom Siripong. SU5 men’s singles player Dheva Anrimusthi beat Somsiri Pricha in 18 minutes to win 21-4, 21-8.

“We hope that with this men’s team winning gold, it can pave the way for more gold medals,” said Suryo Nugroho.

Suryo will also compete in the SU5 singles event, which will be a repeat of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games competition. The ASEAN Para Games will bring together the gold, silver and bronze medalists, namely Cheah Like Hou (Malaysia), Dheva Anrimusthi and Suryo.

“I will now focus on the singles and doubles [event]. I hope the results will bear fruit,” said Suryo.

The same goal was achieved by Fredy, who competed with full support from his family, who came to the arena. “This gold medal gives me the confidence to compete at the next match,” said the athlete with an impairment in his legs.

This includes a detailed understanding of the arena, including the wind.

The coach of the Indonesian Paralympic badminton national team, Imam Kunantoro, believes that team matches are important for athletes to strengthen their ability to adapt to field conditions. This includes a detailed understanding of the arena, including the wind. “In terms of technique and physicality, everything is ready. Now it is just a matter of understanding the arena, which is also important,” said Imam.

The momentum created from the badminton’s first gold also motivated two senior athletes, Harry Susanto and Ukun Rukaendi. Harry, who struggles with right and left Achilles injuries as well as a torn meniscus, is determined to bring home medals for the singles and doubles events.

Meanwhile, Ukun wants to continue to excel before retiring. “Personally, at the age of more than 52 years, these results are a blessing. It really impresses me at this age,” said Ukun.

KOMPAS/AGUNG SETYAHADI

Indonesian paralympic archery athlete Tuwariyah (center) aims at a target while practicing at the 2022 ASEAN Para Games archery arena, West City Square, Solo, Central Java, Friday (29/7/2022). The Indonesian archery team is targeting to win two gold medals.

Ukun began to consider stepping down from the singles event to focus on the doubles event. “I might just focus on the doubles. I am old already. It is not easy to maintain this physicality. You need to be very disciplined,” he said. (ANG)

(This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia)