East Java Buys Medals For XX Papua PON Wrestling

JAKARTA - The East Java contingent successfully won two gold medals on the first day of the Papua XX PON wrestling competition. Shintia Eka Arfenda and Candra Marimar, respectively in the 50kg class and 53kg class. Fighting at the KONI Merauke Futsal GOR, Friday, October 8 afternoon until evening, successfully defeated Anisa Safitri from East Kalimantan, while in the 53kg class Candra Marimar outperformed Eka Setiawati from West Java.

In the 50kg final, Shintia outperformed the East Kalimantan wrestler Annisa Safitri, while the bronze medal went to Eka Siska Suryani from West Sumatra. Other competitors in the 50kg class are Desi Rahayu (Central Java), Dewi Sartika Nasution (Papua) and DKI Jakarta wrestler Selfie Ajeng who failed to present her best performance since the first round. This is the press statement sent by the Central Board of the Indonesian Wrestling Association (PP PGSI).

In the 53kg class, West Java mainstay Candra Marimar who is a former 2018 Asian Games wrestler, Eka Setiawati. Bronze for Dewi Ulfa, a senior wrestler from East Kalimantan. Other competitors in the 53kg class are Heka Maya Sari (North Sumatra), Meshke Y (Papua) and Siti Raudah (South Kalimantan)). Dewi Ulfa's failure to win a gold medal became the first of her four consecutive appearances in PON. He came to Papua as a record recorder who won three gold medals. This East Kalimantan mainstay wrestler at PON Papua has dropped his class, from his usual 57kg class, to the 53kg class, with his other opponents being wrestlers who are much younger.

Chairman of the Binpres Central Executive of the All-Indonesian Wrestling Association (PP PGSI) Gusti Randa hopes that the Papua PON wrestling sport will bring out champion wrestlers who will represent Indonesia at the Hanoi SEA Games, which has been postponed to next year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"After the Papua PON, we would have held the SEA Games in Vietnam, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Vietnam SEA Games was canceled this year," said Gusti in his opening remarks for the XX Papua PON wrestling at the KONI Futsal GOR, Merauke, Friday afternoon.

"Of course, with the existence of the PON in Papua, the participation of athletes to the Vietnam SEA Games is determined by the winners at the 2020 PON. The athletes fight as much as possible," hoped Gusti Randa who represented the General Chair of PP PGSI Trimedya Panjaitan.

The XX Papua PON wrestling competition competes for 18 sets of medals from 18 classes in three categories according to the rules of the World Wrestling Union (UWW), namely six classes in the men's grego style, six classes in the men's freestyle and six classes in the women's freestyle.

Six classes in the men's grego style, classes 60 kg, 67 kg, 67 kg, 87 kg, 97 kg, and 130 kg. Six classes in the men's freestyle, classes up to 57 kg, 65 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 97 kg and 125 kg. Six classes in the women's freestyle, classes up to 50 kg, 53 kg, 57 kg, 63 kg, 68 kg and 76 kg.

The struggle for two gold medals from the 50kg and 53kg women's freestyle was stalled due to protests from the host camp regarding their desire not to compete in the semifinals, and asked for a double bronze.

Previously, the Central KONI had decided to reject Papua's request. However, in the Technical meeting on Thursday (7/10) the Papuan team again expressed their wish. According to the rules of the World Wrestling Union (UWW), double bronze medals are not allowed in the official UWW classes.

Of the total six gold medals provided in the women's freestyle, three gold will be up for grabs on Saturday (9/10/2021). Namely, 57kg class, 62kg class, and 68kg class. One other women's gold, namely the 76kg class, will be competed on Sunday (10/10), along with the start of the competition for 12 gold medals from the men's grego style and freestyle, until next Thursday (14/10).

In the 57kg class, West Java has the opportunity to increase its gold medal at the XX Papua PON through Dewi Attiya, the 2018 Asian Games national training wrestler. In the 62kg class, there is Desi Rahmawati from East Kalimantan, while in the 68kg class Alfiya Kurniawati is the favorite.