Archery Heroine Kusuma Wardhani Passes Away

Indonesian archery legend member Tiga Srikandi, Kusuma Wardhani, passed away, Sunday (12/11/2023).

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Srikandi Panahan Kusuma Wardhani Berpulang

KOMPAS/KARTONO RYADI

The Indonesian archery trio (from left), Lilies Handayani, Nurfitriyana Saiman, and Kusuma Wardhani, won a silver medal at the Seoul Olympics in South Korea on Sunday (18/9/1988). This marks Indonesia's first medal in 36 years of participation since the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - Indonesian archery legend and member of the Tiga Srikandi team, Kusuma Wardhani, passed away on Sunday (11/12/2023) at her home in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The figure who contributed to Indonesia's first medal at the Olympics died at the age of 59.

The sad news was confirmed by another member of Tiga Srikandi, Nurfitriyana Saiman. Nurfitriyana received the news from Kusuma Wardhani's child on Sunday morning.

"I know the late Kusuma as a reserved person. Perhaps initially, due to cultural differences between us, communication was difficult. However, we were eventually able to overcome this and even became close. Kusuma was someone with a high spirit," said Nurfitriyana, who was contacted on Sunday.

Also read: Sports Legends Mardi Lestari and Kusuma Wardhani are sick, struggling in old age

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, Raja Sapta Oktohari, had a video communication with legendary sprinter Mardi Lestari and legendary female archer Lilies Handayani in Jakarta on Monday (21/8/2023). The remarkable achievements made during their active years as athletes did not ensure a comfortable life after retirement. Kusuma Wardhani had to struggle even until old age due to financial limitations for medical care.

Kusuma, along with Nurfitriyana and Lilies, are known as the Three Goddesses who brought home the silver medal in women's archery at the 1988 Olympic Games. This was the first medal won by the "Merah Putih" contingent at the global sports event and the only medal won in archery to date.

Nurfitriyana last met Kusuma in August. Along with other Indonesian archery legends, Lilies Handayani, Nurfitriyana visited Kusuma at Hermina Makassar Hospital.

Kusuma experienced a drastic decline in health after suffering from a stroke due to hypertension or high blood pressure, with her blood pressure reaching 244 when she was first brought to the hospital. After receiving intensive treatment, Nurfitriyana stated that Kusuma's condition briefly improved, allowing for her discharge and return home.

Also read: Verawaty Fadjrin, a figure who never gives up, passes away

Kusuma is a person who has high enthusiasm.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

Profile of the illness of legendary archer Kusuma Wardhani was discussed during a video communication by the Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, Raja Sapta Oktohari, with legendary sprinter Mardi Lestari and legendary female archer Lilies Handayani in Jakarta on Monday (21/8/2023).

After retiring as an athlete, Kusuma, who was born in Makassar, South Sulawesi, February 20 1964, lived a limited life. At its peak, when he retired as a civil servant (PNS) at an agency in Makassar, he had difficulty paying for treatment for an illness he had been suffering from for a long time (Kompas, 22/8/2023).

Nurfitriyana stated that she and Lilies planned to sell or auction the historic 1988 Olympic silver medal in order to help Kusuma. They decided not to proceed after facing opposition. On the other hand, there was attention from the Indonesian Olympic Committee. However, Nurfitriyana is unsure of the follow-up after that.