The Paris 2024 Olympics represents a historic achievement for Indonesian sports. For the first time, the country has won an Olympic gold medal in a sport other than badminton.
On August 8, Veddriq Leonardo secured Indonesia’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in men’s speed climbing, while Rizki Juniansyah won gold in weightlifting on August 9.
Gold in First Olympic Men's Speed Climbing Goes to Indonesia
For the first time in Paris, men’s speed climbing was separated from the combined disciplines of speed, bouldering, and lead, which were integrated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Speed climbing, now a standalone discipline, has become one of the most spectacular events.
Veddriq Leonardo, a former world record holder, achieved a personal best of 4.75 seconds, defeating China’s Wu Peng on the 15-meter wall. Leonardo improved his time in each round and ultimately beat Wu Peng by just 0.02 seconds.
This 27-year-old athlete won Indonesia's ninth Olympic gold medal in history, adding to the eight gold medals previously won in badminton. His victory is the first gold medal in a sport other than badminton since Indonesia's Olympic debut in 1952.
Read also: Kunlavut Vitidsarn: Making History for Thai Badminton at the Paris 2024 Olympics
Young Indonesian Weightlifter Makes History at Olympic Games
Competing in the 73 kg weight class, Rizki Juniansyah delivered an impressive performance in both the snatch and clean and jerk.
He lifted 155 kg in the snatch and in his second attempt in the clean and jerk, Rizki lifted 199 kg, setting a new Olympic record. This performance surpassed the previous record of 198 kg set by Shi Zhiyong of China at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
With a total lift of 354 kg, Rizki emerged as the champion and won the gold medal.
This 21-year-old young Indonesian lifter made history by securing Indonesia's second gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, becoming the first Indonesian weightlifter to win gold at the Olympics.
Before Rizki, Indonesia had not won a gold medal in weightlifting. The best achievements by Indonesian weightlifters such as Eko Yuli Irawan, Raema Lisa Rumbewas, Triyatno, and Citra Febrianti were silver medals.
