JAKARTA (ANN/THE JAKARTA POST) – The Indonesian Weightlifting Association (PABSI) are among Indonesia’s national sports associations intensifying their training sessions for athletes who are heading to the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics that opens July 26.
With at least two PABSI athletes, veteran lifter Eko Yuli Irawan and Olympic debutant Rizki Juniansyah, with confirmed spots at the prestigious multisport event in the French capital, they only have 98 days to go for preparation.
PABSI had stepped up both athletes’ training regimen and deployed a team of nutritionists, doctors and physiotherapists to help them get into peak condition, team manager Pura Darmawan told the source on Wednesday.
“We have prepared everything to the fullest,” he continued. “Since this is the [Olympics], we are certainly paying attention to all factors, from the athletes’ physical to mental conditions, as well as sharpening their mindset.”
Eko became the first Indonesian weightlifter to clinch a ticket to Paris in the men’s 61-kilogram category early this month, when he won a silver medal at the 2024 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand.
The Paris Games will be Eko’s fifth Olympics outing after winning a medal at all four of his previous appearances: a silver medal at both Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016 and a bronze medal each at London 2012 and Beijing 2008.
Rizki clinched his spot in the 2024 Games when he defeated compatriot Rahmat Erwin Abdullah in the men’s 73 kg final at the IWF World Cup in Phuket.
Meanwhile, the Youth and Sports Ministry has announced that women’s lifter Nurul Akmal will be competing in the 81 kg category after a quota reallocation under Olympics rules, but Pura said PABSI was still waiting for official confirmation from the IWF.
Former PABSI manager Alamsyah Wijaya said he was optimistic that Rizki would excel in Paris to gain Indonesia its first weightlifting gold, given his recent performance.
“Rizki can bring home a gold medal if he can maintain his current [lifestyle] and motivation, aside from having good preparation,” Alamsyah said, adding that Eko also had another chance at winning a medal, just like he did at Tokyo 2020.
Weightlifting has consistently contributed an Olympic medal for Indonesia since the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, although Indonesian lifters have yet to win a gold medal.
