Become A Debut, Optimistic Rock Climbing Competes At The 2024 Olympics

JAKARTA - Indonesia appeared as a debutant in the rock climbing branch at the 2024 Olympics. However, the sport, which has four strengths, is optimistic that it will compete and make achievements in Paris.

The rock climbing branch scored historic achievements by passing four athletes to the Olympics. This is the first appearance of rock climbing in the biggest multi-event sporting event on earth.

Even though it was the first time he appeared, Indonesia immediately filled in the full four quotas for the sport. They will compete in the speed number.

Of the four athletes who competed, consisting of two sons and two daughters represented by Veddriq Leonardo, Rahmad Adi Mulyono, Rajiah Salsabillah, and Desak Made Rita Kusumma Dewi.

They, according to the long cliff national team manager M. Rizali 'Ichal' Umarella, have made thorough preparations by completing a training program that is expected to improve physical and engineering capabilities. With the strength of the four athletes, they are expected to make achievements at the Olympics.

"This is the first time we have appeared in the Olympics. Meanwhile, the rock climbing branch has only been competed twice after being held in Tokyo (2020 Olympics). However, we are optimistic about achieving achievements in the speed number. They have made the best preparations and completed all the training programs," said Ichal Umarella.

Ichal Umarella, further said that competition in the speed number is evenly distributed. Thus, non-technical factors such as mental competition, calm and speed determine who will be the best.

"With the equitable quality of participants, the competition will be balanced. Thus, non-technical factors such as mental competition determine who will win," said Ichal Umarella, who hopes to get support and prayers from the Indonesian people.

"To the people of Indonesia, I ask for prayers and support for our athletes who appear at the 2024 Paris Olympics. We hope they can get through every match and achieve the best results for Indonesia," he said.

According to him, the four athletes who competed in Paris started from different provinces, namely East Java, Bali, Banten, and West Kalimantan.

This shows that talented athletes in the branches have sprung up from various regions in Indonesia. Ichal Umarella also hopes that more areas will produce rock climbing athletes, including the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).

"Actually, the DIY rock climbing never lacks the seeds of talented athletes. I hope they achieve success in PON and can fill the list of athletes in the national training," he said.

Meanwhile, coach Hendra Basir said that the four athletes who qualified for the Olympics were fully ready to perform. They not only experience an increase in technical and physical abilities but also a strong mentality.

"As stated if the non-technical factors will determine. This makes us also focus on mental strengthening. Because being mentally strong is very important for their performance," said Hendra.

The rock climbing team just departed for Paris from Soekarno Hatta Airport, Cengkareng, Jakarta, Saturday, July 27, 2024 in the morning WIB. They competed in the Olympics from Sunday, August 4, 2024 to Saturday, August 10, 2024.