Source – aljazeera.com
Veddriq Leonardo Secures Indonesia’s First Non-Badminton Olympic Gold
Veddriq Leonardo made history by winning Indonesia’s first Olympic gold medal outside badminton, an achievement that has brought immense pride to the nation. The 27-year-old speed climber outpaced his Chinese rival by a mere two-hundredths of a second to secure the victory. Scaling the 15-meter wall in a personal best time of 4.75 seconds, Veddriq’s performance in the Paris Olympics marks Indonesia’s ninth gold medal since the country began participating in the Olympics in 1952.
After his victory, an emotional Veddriq expressed his joy, stating, “My heart raced during the competition, but I stayed focused and finished it.” His coach and Indonesian Sport Climbing Federation chairwoman Yenni Wahid were deeply moved by the win, with Wahid remarking that she was “so moved I could cry.”
Indonesia’s Rising Star in Weightlifting: Rizki Juniansyah
On the same day as Veddriq’s victory, Indonesia celebrated another gold medal, this time in weightlifting. Rizki Juniansyah, a 21-year-old athlete, dominated the men’s 73kg weightlifting competition. Rizki lifted a total of 354kg, setting an Olympic record in the clean and jerk with a lift of 199kg. His achievement added to Indonesia’s golden day at the Olympics.
Rizki expressed his deep emotions after the victory, thanking his supporters and sharing how this accomplishment has been a dream come true. “There are no words that can describe how I am feeling,” he said, acknowledging the overwhelming joy and pride he felt as he looked ahead to the future.
Indonesia’s Emergence as a Speed-Climbing Powerhouse
Indonesia’s strength in speed climbing has been growing rapidly, with the nation consistently breaking records and securing medals at top international events. Veddriq Leonardo, originally from Pontianak in Indonesian Borneo, has become a key figure in this rise. His journey in the sport began with a student nature group, and he has since won the sport’s World Cup three times, even becoming the first speed climber to break the five-second barrier.
President Joko Widodo was among the first to congratulate Veddriq, describing his victory as a source of “new pride for Indonesia.” The country’s previous Olympic golds had all been in badminton, making this win particularly significant for Indonesia.
The Future of Speed Climbing in Indonesia
As speed climbing continues to develop, there is growing excitement about its future in Indonesia. The Paris Olympics marked the first time speed climbing was featured as a standalone event, separate from the boulder and lead disciplines. This change allowed speed-climbing specialists like Veddriq to shine.
The impact of these victories has resonated across Indonesia, with fans and officials alike eager to see the sport gain even more popularity and support. “We should hype up this sport more and help it develop even more,” said Kristoforus Bagaskoro, a creative manager from Jakarta, reflecting the national sentiment following these historic wins.
