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Victory for Agus, bitter adieu for Dedeh
The sweltering heat in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Sunday did not dampen the spirits of Indonesian runner Agus Prayogo, who outpaced his compatriot Jauhari Johan and Nguyen Van Lai to claim gold in the men’s 10,000 meters
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he sweltering heat in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Sunday did not dampen the spirits of Indonesian runner Agus Prayogo, who outpaced his compatriot Jauhari Johan and Nguyen Van Lai to claim gold in the men’s 10,000 meters.
Agus clocked 30.10 seconds, a convincingly wide gap from his rivals; Jauhari who trailed by 30.43 to win silver and Van Lai in 31.22 to take bronze.
Tight race: Indonesian runner Dedeh Erawati (left), Vietnamese Phuong Thao Bach (center) and Thai Wallapa Punsoongneun (right) race against each other in the Women’s 100-meter hurdles event at the Athletic Stadium in Jakabaring, Palembang, on Sunday. JP/Nurhayati
For the second sergeant in the Army, the triumph is only a confirmation that he is still the fastest man in the region in the category after he took gold in the SEA Games in Vientiane, Laos two years ago.
“Palembang is really hot…I am happy to be able to maintain my gold medal achievement,” Agus told reporters after the final run. “I dedicate this victory to my corps, the Indonesian Army and to the nation,” he added.
Despite the win, Agus failed to beat the personal best of 29.23 he set in Laos.
“I planned to break my own record, but I couldn’t because of the heat,” said the soldier who now serves at the Army School for High Ranking Officers (Secapa) in Bandung, West Java.
Agus is scheduled to compete in the men’s 5,000-meter on Tuesday.
“I just hope to do my best,” said the 26 year old.
Sunday also belonged to Indonesian runners Heru Astrianto, 24, and Ridwan, 22, who surprisingly nailed gold medals in the men’s 400-m and men’s 1,500-m, respectively.
Bagsit Archand (47.71) grabbed silver and Yacobus Leuwol (47.99) snatched bronze in the 400-m, while Mervin M. Guarte from the Philippines got silver and Malaysian Mohd. Jironi Raduan nailed bronze in the 1,500-m.
“This is surprising since I am used to being the underdog. I only prepared myself to achieve silver at best…I dedicate the medal to my parents who came to see me competing in the tribune,” said Heru after the match.
Meanwhile, Indonesian hopeful and two-time SEA Games gold medalist Dedeh Erawati let gold slip to Wallapa Punsnoongne from Thailand as she lost by a whisker of 0.02 seconds to Punsnoongne who clocked 13.51. Bronze was taken by another Thai runner Wassana Winatho (13.77).
Disappointed Dedeh refused to comment to media after the match. The 26th Games reportedly will be Dedeh’s last shot in the biannual festival of sport.
Earlier in the day, Hendro, 21, snatched silver in the men’s 20-km with 1:33.23. Malaysian Lo Choon Sieng (1:32:34) won the gold, while Vietnamese Nguyen Thanh Ngung (1:35:48) took bronze.
Overall, Indonesia’s track and field has achieved its minimum medal target of collecting seven golds so far.
