Indonesian judo champion Krisna Bayu redeemed his failure at two previous SEA Games by winning gold the men's 100-kg division, at Chao Anouvong Gymnasium in Vientiane, on Thursday.
Bayu defeated Singapore's Wee Pui Seng in the final. The bronze medals went to Lao's Sengsouli and Vietnam's Dang Hao.
The victory justified Bayu's judo credentials at the biennial multi-event showcase.
He won six gold medals in a row from 1993 and 2003, but had to be content with silver in the past two games (in 2005 and 2007).
"It was painful to miss out on the gold twice. But I did not lose hope," he said.
"For me, the *Laos* gold is a correction of my previous losses, and proof I have done my duty for my country," Bayu said.
Bayu brave acute pain in both of his knees and elbows he had incured since the past seven years. He also had just recovered form his left calf injury he incurred during a tryout in South Korea, a week prior to his departure to Vientiane.
"I dedicate this gold medal to my parents," said Bayu, who first started learning judo when he was 10.
His father, Amin Pambudi, acquainted him with the sport.
Bayu, who will celebrate his 35th birthday on Dec. 24, will undergo surgery for his injuries, on his return to Indonesia in December.
Bayu, who had once contemplated retirement following his defeat at the Thailand SEA Games two years ago, has been thinking about a change of career.
Bayu says he has begun learning how to coach, taking part in coaching workshops and helping to prepare the Central Java team for a national event.
He is one of the advocates who support the ministry-initiated training program, called Top-tear Athletic Program (PAL). "I hope whoever is in charge of PAL does so responsibly. They should not be motivated by money alone," Bayu said.
Bayu expected a tougher selection for the country's top athletes.
"Every athlete must understand their responsibility for the country. Being a member of the national team, they must be professional, serious in their training and eager to ever improve their achievements in competitions," he said.
Bayu added that around 5 or 6 percent of Indonesia's athletes did not have an earnest dedication to their country.
Bayu emerged as the only gold medalist among the Indonesian judo team. Teni Anggraeni brought home a silver in the women's 63-kg division, while the team's six bronzes were delivered by Yuliati, Toni Irawan, Peter Taslim, Indah Setiawati, Jimmy Anggoro and Disiyana.
