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Energized Indonesia in search of more sprinters like Zohri
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Streaks ahead: West Nusa Tenggara sprinter Lalu Muhammad Zohri (center) wins the 200-meter gold medal at the 2019 National Athletics Championships at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, West Java, on Sunday. He fi nished in 20.81 seconds, followed by Izrak Ujulu of Gorontalo (21.77 seconds) and M. Ramdam Fitriadi of West Java (21.98 seconds). (Antara/Yulius Satria Wijaya)
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printer Lalu Muhammad Zohri’s hot streak of form, in which he has seized victory after victory — including qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics — has been a breath of fresh air for the Indonesia Athletics Federation (PASI).
Zohri’s achievements have not only polished up the image of the federation, which is tasked with producing world-class athletes, but have also inspired other sprinters to aim higher. The sprinter from West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is now the new benchmark.
At the National Athletics Championships, held from Aug. 1 to 7 at Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, Bogor, West Java, Zohri’s influence was evident, with his competitors enthusiastic to test themselves against Indonesia’s rising star.
During Thursday’s qualifiers, 50 sprinters were divided into seven heat series, competing for a spot in the 100 meter senior final. According to PASI, the number of sprinters in the competition was reflective of the country’s efforts to produce world-class athletes.
Zohri, who competed in the 200 m junior sprint, booked a new national junior record of 20.81 seconds in Sunday’s final. Zohri’s new national junior record is only 0.05 seconds shy of the national record of 20.76 set by Suryo Agung Wibowo in 2007.
“I was advised to not put 100 percent into this event as I’m still recovering from previous injuries,” he said, as quoted by Kompas on Sunday.
Zohri had earlier broken the national junior record of 21.27 seconds, set by Franklin Burumi in 2009, after finishing in 21.14 seconds during Saturday’s heat.
