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Athletes urged to stay focused after surpassing medals target
On the mark: Indonesian archers Hendra Purnama (left), Arif Dwi Pangestu (center) and Riau Ega Agatha Salsabila pose for a photograph with their 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medals at the Clark Parade Grounds, the Philippines, on Sunday
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n the mark: Indonesian archers Hendra Purnama (left), Arif Dwi Pangestu (center) and Riau Ega Agatha Salsabila pose for a photograph with their 2019 Southeast Asian Games gold medals at the Clark Parade Grounds, the Philippines, on Sunday. (Antara/Nyoman Budhiana)
As Indonesia’s athletes have surpassed all targets at the ongoing Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines, chef de mission Harry Warganegara urged them to stay vigilant and go all out in their pursuit of victory in the remaining days.
Indonesia has so far secured 203 medals, comprising 65 gold, 61 silver and 77 bronze medals, and ranks second in the medals tally.
“We have asked all athletes to remain focused, vigilant during the competition, despite the fact that we have surpassed all targets,” Harry told The Jakarta Post on Sunday.
The team had resolved to maintain its competitive spirit at the 2019 SEA Games, he said, adding that losing their fighting spirit because of complacency was the last thing the athletes needed now.
Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali had set the national contingent a target of 45 gold medals, while President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had challenged the Indonesians to finish second in the medal ranking.
Indonesia’s athletes have handily surpassed the medals target, thanks to several sports in which they collected more precious medal than anticipated. Shooting, paddling, weightlifting and tennis were among the sports where the contingent did better than expected.
The national paddling team has collected 10 gold medals across 19 categories in the sport, such as rowing, traditional boating, canoeing and kayaking.
Indonesian Rowing and Paddling Association (PODSI) head Basoeki Hadimoeljono praised the achievement, saying the association had only set a target of five medals ahead of the Games. Anything more than that had been deemed unrealistic given the restricted training facilities for the athletes.
“It is tremendous that we have won 10 of the 19 categories [included in the 2019 Games],” Basoeki, who is also the public works and housing minister, told Antara news agency.
The four-paddler traditional boat team, which participated in the 500-meter category, secured the gold medal by defeating Myanmar. The Indonesian paddlers, led by Agus Mulyana, had to deal with tight competition from the Myanmar team right from the start. The Indonesians reached the finish line after 2 minutes and 31.292 seconds, just 0.608 seconds ahead of their opponents from Myanmar, which secured the silver medal.
Bronze went to Thailand, which finished the race in 2 minutes and 44.920 seconds.
The second gold was secured by the Indonesian 22 mixed-paddler team that competed in the mixed 500-m category. The Indonesians clocked in at 1 minute and 53.753 seconds, closely followed by the Thai team, which came second with a time gap of only 1.4 seconds.
Third to finish the race were the Philippine paddlers, who took 1 minute and 58.415 seconds to earn the bronze medal.
The 22 mixed-paddler team was victorious again in the 1,000-m category as they finished first with 4 minutes and 7.541 seconds, defeating Thailand that needed 4 minutes and 12.387 seconds to earn silver and Myanmar, which won bronze for a recorded time of 4 minutes and 12.437 seconds.
Sunday’s three gold medals add to the traditional boat athletes’ four golds and two silver medals won at the 2019 SEA Games.
In rowing, the pair of Yayah Rokayah and Julianti secured a gold medal by reaching the finish line in 7 minutes and 33.86 seconds, defeating the duo of Thi Hien Le and Thi Hue Pham of Vietnam, who clocked in at 7 minutes and 38 seconds, just 4.14 seconds behind the Indonesians. Third place was secured by Shwe Zin Latt and Nilar Win of Myanmar with 7 minutes and 42.75 seconds.
