Indonesia Weightlifting Team Prepares Ahead of SEA Games in Hanoi

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian weightlifting team, ahead of the 31st SEA Games 2021 in Hanoi, says they are aware of the return of Thailand’s lifting team after serving the doping sanction that curbed the country’s participation in international sporting events, which include the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“We cannot afford to rest for the SEA Games as we are entering the ‘tiger’s cage.’ What Vietnam is known for in weight lifting,” says Djoko Pramono, deputy of the Indonesian Weightlifting Association (PABSI) on Thursday. 

Citing Antaranews, he added that Thailand is also a major player in the weightlifting class, “And then there’s Thailand that has been lifted from its doping sanction. They are also the ‘tigers’ in lifting.”

In the previous event held in the Philippines, Djoko said, Vietnam had become the overall champion in this class by collecting four gold medals, five silvers, and one bronze. Indonesia finished second in the medal tally overall behind Vietnam at the 2019 SEA Games. 

However, he remains optimistic with his team that he believes will give their best in the upcoming Games.

Windy Cantika and senior lifter Eko Yuli Irawan will participate in the event along with 11 other athletes. 

Read: SEA Games: Indonesia Collects 12 Golds, Ranks Fourth

ANTARA