Sad News Coming From The Sports World, SEA Games Gold Winner Suryati Dies After Involved In A Toll Road Accident

Former national runner Suryati Marija died after having an accident on the toll road to Pekanbaru, Riau, Saturday (23/4/2022). (ANTARA/Personal Documentation via Central KONI)

JAKARTA - Sad news came from the sports world, former national long-distance runner Suryati Marija died after an accident that occurred on the toll road to Pekanbaru, Riau, Saturday, April 23.

In a written statement from the Central Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), Sunday, April 24, it was known that Suryati was traveling back and forth to her hometown in Salatiga, with her husband and child. Unfortunately, Suryati's vehicle had an accident. Meanwhile, her husband, Irwan Pulungan, and her daughter were injured.

Suryati's body was immediately taken to Awal Bross Hospital, Pekanbaru, and then taken to Medan, North Sumatra for burial on Sunday morning.

General Chairman of the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI), Marciano Norman, expressed his condolences for the death of the former Indonesian long-distance runner and coach of the North Sumatra Student Training and Training Center (PPLP).

"As the General Chairperson of the Central KONI, and representing the sports community for Indonesian achievements, I offer my condolences. Goodbye Indonesian sports patriots. We will always remember your achievements, your services will continue to motivate us. Your loyalty to the sport of achievement, we appreciate. I hope your figure continues to inspire the birth of great athletes who will make Indonesia proud", Marciano said as quoted by Antara.

During her lifetime, Suryati was an athlete in the 1980s who often competed in the 5,000m, 10,000m, and marathon long-distance events. The late Suryati once contributed gold medals for Indonesia in various international events such as the SEA Games.

Based on the athleticspodium.com page, Suryati won three medals with details of one gold (marathon), silver (3000m), and bronze (10,000m) at the 1989 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

Then at the 1991 SEA Games in Manila, Philippines, Suryati won silver in the 10,000m. In the same year, she also won the bronze number 1km at the Asian Championships. Then at the 1993 SEA Games in Singapore, they won a gold (marathon) and a bronze (3000m).

After hanging up her shoes, Suryati served at the Medan Regional Revenue Service and continued her career as a coach with her husband. They have also succeeded in producing athletic talents such as Edy Haryanto Harahap, Nyai Prima Agita Siregar, and others.