Agus Prayogo - JP/Seto Wardhana

Senior runner Agus Prayogo learned two important lessons after only bagging a silver medal in the men’s marathon at the Kuala Lumpur games.

These are the effects of natural humidity and the dangers of mindtricks. Before reaching the finish line in number two position, Agus, Indonesia’s favorite medal hunter in track-and-field, recalled that he had led the race until high humidity hit him hard, stirring up his focus and holding back his speed.

Sneaking up from behind, the defending champion, Singapore’s Soh Rui Yong, who seemed to know that he was in a golden moment, passed Agus – just two kilometers from the finish line.

“The pressure from the high humidity was tough — it drained me out. It was the moment when my opponent [Yong] overtook me,” Agus, who will turn 32 on Aug. 23, told The Jakarta Post over the weekend.

At the end of the race, Yong retained the title after clocking in at 2:24:55, while Agus crossed the line about two minutes later with 2:27:16.

Behind Agus was bronze medalist Malaysian Muhaizar Muhammad at 2:35:05.

“Yong observed me better, ever since we joined a test event. He seemed to know my capability, and strived to beat me,” said Agus, a 2015 SEA Games gold medalist in the men’s 10,000 meters and a silver medalist in the 5,000 meters.

But what has passed will stay in the past. Agus will now focus on his next races. His specialties are in the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters categories.

Agus learned that he should conceal his potential during test events in order to confuse his opponents during race time.

And in regards to humidity, Agus acknowledged that he needed to turn on the “energy-saving mode” in times of high humidity.

The father of 5-year-old Fabiola Az Zahra expects to compete in two more races this week and he said he would keep practicing during rest days.

Agus’ coach, Agung Mulyawan, also admitted that high humidity was the enemy of every runner as the condition pumps water out of the body, which then results in exhaustion.

“Agus was prepared for this. This is not his best result,” he said.

Agus started his running career in junior high school, about 20 years ago. He was spotted by a local talent scout before entering the world of elite athleticism.

Agus, a chief sergeant stationed with the physical fitness division at the Siliwangi Military Command in West Java, runs 220 kilometers a week in his regular training program.

With such a background, Agus dreams of becoming a coach in the military once he takes off his running shoes for good in the future.

Popular

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Analysis: Indonesia denies normalization with Israel to enter OECD

Citroen to produce electric cars in Indonesia