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SEA Games: Ridjkie Mulia, the hidden gem of Indonesian water polo
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Indonesia's Ridjkie Mulia (left) prepares to throw in a water polo match against Malaysia during the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Tarlac, Philippines, on Friday. Indonesia won 14-7. (Antara/Humaira)
D
espite his calm demeanor, even when he scores during a match, the ace of Indonesian water polo, Ridjkie Mulia, could not hold back happy tears as soon as he learned his team had earned its first-ever Southeast Asian (SEA) Games gold medal.
Ridjkie and the rest of the Indonesian team witnessed the needed draw match between Singapore and the Philippines at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Philippines on Friday evening.
The 6-6 draw by two competitors sent Indonesia to the top of the table and allowed the team to present the first gold medal for the contingent at the biennial event.
Ridjkie, who has played for the national team since 2011, was in disbelief at the first-ever gold medal for Indonesian water polo at the SEA Games, which also put an end to Singapore’s dominance in the sport. The Lions had previously won 27 consecutive gold medals since 1965 Games.
Trying to fight his own tears, the 29-year-old thanked supporters back at home, who had believed in him and his teammates all along.
“We succeeded in winning the first gold medal for Indonesia, and we have made history in water polo. And once again thank you to all,” Ridjkie said in a video published on the Indonesia Aquatics Association’s (PRSI) Instagram account @pbprsi on Friday evening.
It was not the first time Ridjkie got emotional, as he also could not hide his tears after leading the team to secure a historic victory against Singapore in Thursday’s round.
