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SEA Games: Swimmer Indra Gunawan turns anxiety into gold
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Indonesian swimmer Indra Gunawan is flanked by the Philippines' James Daiparine (left) and Singapore's Yin Lionel Khoo. (JP/Safrin La Batu)
I
ndonesian swimmer Indra Gunawan was feeling restless hours before a swimming competition in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, at the 29th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Saturday. As the defending champion in the men’s 50-meter breaststroke, he had everything at stake.
He had to sit down to compose himself before the race. Eventually, he turned all his anxiety into the energy that had helped him win and retain his champion title.
In Saturday’s 50-m breaststroke final, Indra came in as the top finisher, clocking in at 28.25 seconds. He piped the Philippines’ James Daiparine, who won silver, and Chien Yin Lionel Khoo of Singapore in third place. Daiparine and Chien finished in 28.60 and 28.63 seconds, respectively.
“I focused on myself and turned my nervousness into the energy that brought victory,” Indra said after the race.
Compatriot Gagarin Nathaniel, who won a gold in the men’s 100-m breaststroke the previous day, only managed to finish at fifth place, just ahead of Malaysia’ Fu Kung Wong.
“It is hard to win, even harder to retain. But I did it,” said 29-year-old Indra, who hails from Pematang Siantar, North Sumatra. “To be honest, I am not really satisfied with the time, but I am happy I can contribute a gold for Indonesia,” he added.
In a different category, Aflah Fadlan Prawira won a bronze in the men’s 1,500-m freestyle final. He was tailed by Vietnamese gold medalist Huy Hoang Nguyen and silver medalist Quang Nhat Lam.
