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Asian Para Games: For silver medalist Kolymou, his wife means the world
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Kolymau Felipus (The Jakarta Post/Ramadani Saputra)
T
he only thing that crossed Kolymau Felipus’ mind after he finished his race in the men’s 400 meters T20 (intellectual impairment) at Gelora Bung Karno sports complex was his wife.
Despite finishing second to win a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Para Games, Kolymau was disappointed as he could not fulfill a promise he made to his wife Feby Priskila Fransie to bring home the gold medal.
“I am sorry that I could not give my best for my wife, who is with me all the time. She’s here watching me competing,” Kolymau said.
Kolymau’s adoration toward his wife clearly shows — at the race, he was wearing a shirt with a picture of him and Feby on their wedding day. Accompanying the picture is a line that reads: “Papa Sayang, Mama Sayang, Selamanya (Papa Loves Mama Forever)”.
“I am ugly, but since I know my wife, I feel a lot better,” he said.
Feby, a former para athlete who competed in athletics, means so much for Kolymau as she is the one who understands him. Kolymau, who hails from Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, has been married to Feby since 2017.
During preparation for the Para Games in Surakarta, Central Java, Kolymau chose to stay with his wife by renting a room, rather than spending time with his teammates at camp.
He said he did not feel comfortable at the camp as his teammates had a different sense of humor.
“Sometimes, they don’t understand my condition. Only my coach and my wife can understand me. I just need comfort,” said Kolymau, who has been practicing the sport since elementary school.
Kolymau, who joined the national training center in 2013, won gold at the 2015 ASEAN Para Games in the men’s 400 m T20.
Four years later, he brought home a silver medal from the 2017 ASEAN Para Games in Kuala Lumpur, also in the men’s 400 m T20.
