Indonesia targets top 12 with 12 gold medals at Hangzhou Asian Games

Indonesia is targeting a position in the top 12 for the 2022 Asian Games and in the top 10 for the 2022 Asian Para Games. This target has decreased compared to the previous edition because many of Indonesia's medal storage branches were not contested.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Indonesia Targetkan 12 Besar dengan 12 Emas di Asian Games Hangzhou

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

Minister of Youth and Sports, Dito Ariotedjo (center), leads a press conference to announce Indonesia's contingent for the Hangzhou, China 2022 Asian Games and the 2022 Asian Para Games at the Ministry of Youth and Sports office in Jakarta on Friday (1/9/2023). Indonesia is sending 415 athletes and 161 officials to achieve a Top 12 finish with a target of winning 8-12 gold medals at the Asian Games.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Ministry of Youth and Sports is targeting the Indonesian contingent to break into the top 12 with the acquisition of 8 to 12 gold medals in the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games in China, which will take place from September 23 to October 8, 2023. The target is significantly lower than Indonesia's achievement in the Jakarta-Palembang 2018 Asian Games, which collected 31 gold medals and finished fourth.

The reason behind it is that several sports branches that were the source of Indonesia's gold medals in the 2018 Asian Games, one of them being Pencak Silat which contributed 14 golds, will not be contested in the 2022 edition. "We hope the public will understand and continue to fully support the Indonesian contingent in this year's Asian Games," said Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo in Jakarta on Friday (1/9/2023).

Indonesia sent 415 athletes and 161 officials from 31 branches for the 2022 Asian Games. This number was determined through discussions with a number of experts, including from the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI), the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), and the Ministry of Youth and Sports Review Team. "For other athletes who have not had the opportunity to go to the Asian Games (2022), we are committed to supporting their achievements by participating in international singles events," said Dito.

Also read: 2022 Asian Games Sets Record for Number of Athletes

The target of 12 gold medals in Hangzhou is expected to be contributed by badminton, dragon boat racing, jujitsu, kurash, karate, sepak takraw, sport climbing, athletics, and wushu. "We pay attention to the data of the competition map between Indonesian athletes or teams and their potential opponents," said the Chairman of the Kemenpora Review Team, Mochammad Asmawi.

AFP/GREG BAKER

The atmosphere of the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium (back) and Tennis Centre (front) that will become the venue for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. The photo was taken last Thursday (29/7/2023).

He explained that there were seven criteria that determined the sending of these athletes. They were athletes from branches that had the opportunity to win medals, had a track record of performance over the past two years or throughout 2021-2023, medal-winning athletes at the World or Asia Championships over the past two years, athletes who had the chance to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics, individual gold medalists at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, team gold medalists at the 2023 SEA Games, and athletes or teams that qualified for the 2022 Asian Games.

However, the Chairman of KONI, Marciano Norman, believes that it is not impossible to receive medal donations from other sports. In addition to focusing on potential medal-winning athletes, the Chairman of KOI, Raja Sapta Oktohari, also requests Indonesia to pay attention to athletes who have the chance to qualify for the 2024 Olympics. There are several sports, such as boxing, that use the 2022 Asian Games as a qualification for the Paris Olympics.

"Our big dream is achievement at the Olympics. In Paris 2024, we want to make history by winning more gold medals than in previous editions. The Asian Games 2022 will be our stepping stone to the Olympics 2024. So, we must also focus on sports that make the Asian Games a qualification for the Olympics," said Okto.

Also read: With Nine Athletes, Aquatics Hopes to End the Medal Famine since 1990

To ensure that athletes can compete optimally, the Chairman of the Indonesian Contingent (CdM) for the 2022 Asian Games, Basuki Hadimuljono, said that they are striving to ensure that non-technical training preparations run smoothly. To that end, since April, they have visited Hangzhou several times to map out the situation there.

Based on information from the team, the most crucial thing is to determine the most ideal flight route so that the athletes do not get tired during the journey. The way to do this is, among others, by determining the closest and shortest stopover point. For weather conditions, there is nothing significant to disturb the journey except for the wind which is considered to have minimal impact.

The Indonesian contingent will depart in several stages. A small contingent, consisting of football, cricket, and volleyball teams, will leave first on September 16. As for the large contingent, they will depart on September 21 after being released by President Joko Widodo, who is still awaiting confirmation from September 17-23.

"For mental preparation, I think our athletes' readiness to compete is not in doubt. They are not novice athletes. All of them have been tested in international championships over the past two years, such as the repeatedly championed cliff diving in the World Cup series and breaking the world record," said Basuki, who is also the Minister of Public Works and Housing.

Also read: Indonesian Wushu: Victory at the SEA Games First, Looking at the Asian Games Later

Urged Made R Kusuma Dewi, the Indonesian female speed climber, admitted that she was increasingly motivated to contribute the best achievements for Indonesia after winning gold at the 2023 World Championships in Switzerland last August 10, as well as winning a ticket to the 2024 Olympics. worried about competing in China, which has many strong speedclimbers.

"As the host, China may be the toughest opponent. However, we will still be vigilant of other countries such as South Korea, Japan, and Iran. Ultimately, wherever we compete, we will strive to give our best to honor Indonesia," said Desak.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Indonesian rock climbing athlete, Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi, participated in the qualifying round of the third series of IFSC World Cup Rock Climbing 2023 at the Gelora Bung Karno Complex in Jakarta on Saturday (6/5/2023).

Asian Para Games

On the occasion, Dito also announced Indonesia's contingent for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, which will take place from October 23-28. Indonesia is sending 134 athletes, 62 support staff, 56 coaches, and 12 managers to the disabled sports competition in Asia. They will compete in 12 sports categories.

The Indonesian contingent is expected to make it to the top 10 with the acquisition of 20 gold medals in the 2022 Asian Para Games. Similarly to the Asian Games, that target is drastically lower compared to Indonesia's achievement in fifth place with 37 gold medals in the 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games.

Indonesian Chef de Mission (CdM) for the 2022 Asian Para Games, Angela Tanoesoedibjo, stated that her team has reviewed the readiness of several branches in the national training center in Surakarta, Central Java. All athletes and coaches are enthusiastic and ready to give their best for Indonesia. This has boosted the confidence of the CdM team that the Asia Para Games contingent could achieve the government's set target.

On the other hand, motivated athletes are chasing tickets to the Paris 2024 Paralympics. So far, three archery athletes and two track and field athletes have secured their tickets to the 2024 Paralympics. Meanwhile, athletes from other sports are still fighting to obtain their tickets.

Specifically, Angela said, her party hopes to bring home 20 gold, 23 silver and 25 bronze. "It is hoped that the gold or medal targets will be contributed by athletics, badminton, swimming, cycling, chess and lawn bowls," said Angel, who is also Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

The Chef de Mission (CdM) of Indonesia's contingent for the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, Angela Tanoesoedibjo, expressed the readiness of the contingent for the 2022 Asian Para Games in a press conference at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs office in Jakarta on Friday (1/9/2023).

Chair of the Research and Development Division of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC), Sapta Kunta Purnama, expressed that so far the preparation for the 2022 Asian Para Games team is going well. All athletes and coaches are very enthusiastic because they are receiving extraordinary attention.

On the other hand, motivated athletes are chasing tickets to the Paris 2024 Paralympics. So far, three archery athletes and two track and field athletes have secured their tickets to the 2024 Paralympics. Meanwhile, athletes from other sports are still fighting to obtain their tickets.

"One of our strengths is the badminton branch. Indeed, Ratri (Leani Ratri Oktila, the female badminton player) has slightly declined due to giving birth. However, her partner in the mixed doubles category is still young and has an outstanding performance. Therefore, hopefully badminton can maintain the gold medal in the mixed doubles category at the 2022 Asian Para Games and the 2024 Paralympics," said Kunta.