TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The 2018 Asian Para Games will soon be held in Indonesia. The national training, which has been started since January in Solo - Central Java, is intensifying its activities.
In the 2018 Asian Para Games, 18 sports will be contested and 41 countries from Asia will participate. Indonesia is targeting the top-seven rank.
“Our target is to rank sixth or seventh in Asia. It can be achieved if we get 16 to 17 gold medals,” said Chairman of the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee Senny Marbun, in Solo, Central Java, Tuesday, September 4.
Read: Athletes from 41 Countries Registered for Asian Para Games
Here are some of Indonesia's top athletes in the flagship sports.
1. Para Athletics
Indonesia targets two golds from this sports branch. A number of leading athletes such as Sapto Yogo Purnomo in the men’s T37 100 meter and Suparni Yati in the women’s F20 shot put are expected to achieve the goal.
Some senior athletes like Abdul Halim Dalimunte and Setiyo Budihartanto will also participate in the games.
2. Para Badminton
Not only in Asian Games, Indonesia`s badminton is also favorited in Asian Para Games. Some old players like Ukun Rukaendi will definitely join the games, as well as some young players such as Suryo Nugroho. Indonesia targets to achieve four golds from this sport.
3. Para Table Tennis
Table Tennis cannot be removed from the list of Indonesia's flagship sports. In Incheon games four years ago, Indonesia managed to bag four golds from this branch.
Indonesia's table tennis senior athletes like David Jacobs and Agus Susanto will participate again this year. “I won gold at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. Now as a host, I at least have to be able to win the gold again. All the athletes must target the best,” said David.
4. Swimming
Four gold medals are targeted for this sport. It reflects on the brilliant results at the 2014 Asian Games where Indonesia won three golds.
At that time, Mulyana won two gold medals for the 50 meter T4 freestyle and 50 meter T4 butterfly style for Indonesia.
5. Para Powerlifting
In Incheon, Indonesia won one silver and three bronzes from this branch. Siti Mahmudah and Ni Nengah Widiasih are Indonesia’s top athletes in powerlifting. They bagged bronze medals at the European Open Championship.
The 2018 Asian Para Games will be held in Jakarta from October 6-13. This year will be the first time for Indonesia to host the event.
EGI ADYATAMA
