A Number Of Elite Athletes Are Ready To Face PON Papua, From Olympic Dropouts To Rock Climbing Record Breakers

JAKARTA - A number of elite Indonesian athletes are preparing to compete at the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON), from Olympian Azzahra Permatahani to world record-breaking rock climbing Veddriq Leonardo and Aries Susanti Rahayu.

Athlete participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Azzahra is determined to improve her time record at the XX Papua PON, which will be held on October 3-15 October 2021.

"I personally have always targeted my own time first, how can I improve my timing, how to improve the previous time again, break the national record, because if you focus on time, the medal will follow itself," said Azzahra in a virtual discussion FMB9, Monday, reported by Antara.

After competing in the Tokyo Olympics, Azzahra is now undergoing the SEA Games National Training. However, due to the postponement of the Southeast Asian multi-event sports event, currently the holder of the three national records is focusing on PON XX Papua.

Even though she has competed at the world level, Azzahra admits that PON is very important for her. In addition to carrying the name of the province, the national sports event became a benchmark for the 19-year-old swimmer.

"In this PON selection, what is still lacking so that it can be improved after the PON later," said Azzahra, who has collected a silver medal in the 200-meter women's medley and a bronze medal in the 500-meter women's medley at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, rock climbing athlete Veddriq Leonardo, who recently won the IFSC Climbing World Cup 2021 world rock climbing championship in the United States, said that PON has the same atmosphere as world-class competitions.

"The opponents are also world champion athletes. What is certain is that I remain optimistic that I will give the best," said Vedderiq.

"This is a commitment to advance rock climbing in PON which is held every four years," he added.

The same thing was also conveyed by rock climbing athlete Aries Susanti Rahayu. The 2018 Asian Games gold medal winner will try to show his best at the XX Papua PON.

"Every athlete wants gold. I have never won a gold medal in PON. Work hard for Central Java and the name of rock climbing in Indonesia," said Aries.