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Para shuttlers key to Indonesia’s medal hopes at Tokyo
'The team has been preparing well despite the pandemic and we have several medal contenders in the team. NPC Indonesia has set a target of one gold medal but we are hopeful of more' 25 Jul 2021
Indonesia made a dream Paralympic debut at the 1976 Toronto Games participating in athletics, lawn bowls, swimming, and table tennis and returning with two golds.
Since then, the country has participated in every subsequent edition of the Paralympics, except 1992 Barcelona Games, with their total number of medals standing on 17, including four golds.
In the last two editions, Indonesia managed one bronze medal each at Rio 2016 and London 2012 Games.
At the forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Games, Indonesia will field 22 athletes in seven sports including Para athletics (8), Para swimming (2), Para powerlifting (1), Shooting Para sport (2), Para badminton (5), Para table tennis (3) and Para cycling (1).
Chef de Mission of the Indonesian contingent Andi Herman said that Tokyo 2020 Games will be special considering the challenges the world has faced owing to the pandemic and Team Indonesia would look to improve their medal count than Rio 2016.
“This is our 11th participation at the Paralympic Games. And we are very honoured to be part of this multi-sport event which is a celebration of determination, courage and human spirit. The team has been preparing well despite the pandemic and we have several medal contenders in the team. NPC Indonesia has set a target of one gold medal but we are hopeful of more,” said Herman.
PARALYMPIC GOLD ON OKTILA’S MIND
Indonesia’s biggest medal hopes will rest on their Para badminton team which has several multiple-time world and Asian Para Games champions including Leani Ratri Oktila (women’s SL4) and Dheva Anrimusthi (men’s SU5) in their ranks.
“My biggest dream is to win a Paralympic gold medal. My deepest gratitude goes to my family and friends, my coaches, NPC Indonesia and the Indonesian government who have paved the road to achieving my dream,” said Oktila, Indonesia’s top medal prospect who will compete in women’s singles SL4, women’s doubles SL3-SU5 event pairing with Khalimatus Sadiyah Sukohandoko and mixed doubles SL3-SU5 event along with veteran star Hary Susanto.
Besides Para badminton, Para powerlifting and Para athletics are other sports where Indonesia would look to win medals.
‘TARGET IS TO BETTER THE MEDAL COLOUR’
Ni Nengah Widiasih, the first Para powerlifter from Indonesia to win a medal at the Paralympics, would aim to better the colour of her medal in Tokyo.
“My target is not just a medal but bettering my medal colour and performance than Rio 2016. Owing to the current situation because of the pandemic, there’s excitement as well as anxiety going into the Games. I hope I could come up with my best performance. Self-belief will play an important role in succeeding in Tokyo,” said 28-year-old Widiasih, who claimed a bronze medal in women’s upto 41kg category at Rio 2016.
Veteran Para paddler Dian David Michael Jacobs, the London 2012 bronze medallist and three-time Indonesia 2018 Asian Para Games gold medallist, is hopeful of a good show in his third Paralympics.
"This is my third Paralympic participation. Thank you, Lord for the talent that you have given me. I'll do my very best for my country," the 44-year-old added.
