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Team Indonesia full of optimism as athletes complete last minute SEA Games preparations
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Bright stars: Hurdler Emilia Nova (left) and BMX rider I Gusti Bagus Saputra attend the announcement that Pocari Sweat will be Indonesia's official isotonic drink sponsor for the 2019 Philippines Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta on Nov. 18. Emilia and Bagus are among the country’s athletes expected to win medals at the Games. (JP/Ramadani Saputra)
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ell prepared and with strong support, Team Indonesia is full of optimism ahead of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines, which will kick off in less than two weeks.
Hurdler Emilia Nova’s spirits are high, as she seeks to become the region’s best at the biennial event.
However, Emilia’s preparations have not been smooth, suffering from plantar fasciitis since February this year. The heel injury has impacted her performance, with the 2018 Asian Games silver medalist unable to match her personal best in the 100 meter hurdles set early this year.
“I recorded 13.5 seconds at the Malaysia Open [in March]. It was achieved without maximum preparation. Now, I am back in my practice routine like before the Asian Games [last year],” she told journalists in Jakarta on Monday.
“[For now], my speed is not as good as during the Asian Games but [I feel my] technical aspects have improved. I hope to equal the time I recorded at the Asian Games,” she added.
At the 2018 Asiad, Emilia finished second in the women’s 100 m final behind South Korea’s Jung Hye-lim, recording a time of 13.33 seconds.
Despite her injury, Emilia remains optimistic she can bag gold in the Philippines, as she holds the Southeast Asia record. Emilia’s fiercest rival Tran Thi Yen Hoa of Vietnam holds a personal best of 13.61, recorded at the Asian Grand Prix Series in Chongqing, China, in June.
