Veddriq Gold Medal Signs Indonesia's Medal Barn Not Just Badminton

Veddriq Leonardo was the first athlete to win gold for Indonesia at the 2024 Paris Olympics (doc. NOC Indonesia).

JAKARTA - Finally, the news that was awaited from the 2024 Paris Olympics also came. Rock climbing athlete Veddriq Leonardo won the first gold medal for Indonesia.

"EMAAAS, Alhamdullilah. Thank you Veddriq Leonardo for singing Indonesia Raya at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Congratulations on the gold medal achievements presented to the country," said Puan proudly through her Instagram account, @puanmaharaniri, Thursday 8 August.

The Indonesian contingent broke the 2024 Olympic gold medal through rock climbing after Veddriq defeated Chinese athlete, Wu Peng, at Le Bourget Climbing Venue, Paris, today. Veddriq recorded a time of 4.75 seconds, 0.02 seconds faster than his opponent.

Veddriq's struggle also deserves appreciation for successfully overthrowing his opponent, Bassa Mawem, in the quarter-finals. Bassa Mawem from France is the owner of the previous Olympic record in Tokyo with 5.45 seconds. Veddriq was able to beat Mawem with a time of 4.88 seconds.

"This afternoon's nervousness resulted in Indonesia's first gold medal presented by Veddriq Leonardo," said the 2018 Asian Games Supervisory Board.

Puan said that the victory from rock climbing sport could be a spirit for other athletes who have not competed in order to win medals and proud achievements for the nation. It is known that there are still several Indonesian athletes who have not competed, including in the weightlifting sport which is also Indonesia's flagship.

"This can be a motivation for other athletes who have not competed. Let's still have other medal potentials, continue to guard the Red and White," said Puan.

The gold medal won by Veddriq is also considered a lot of coverage for the Indonesian people considering that Indonesia has not made many achievements from badminton. Even though badminton became Indonesia's mainstay in winning gold at the Olympics.

Overall, badminton contributed eight of the nine Indonesian gold in the history of the Olympics. However, for this Olympics, badminton was only able to win bronze from the women's singles on behalf of Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.

Even so, Puan said Indonesia still has an Olympic medal barn in weightlifting. Indonesia still has the opportunity to add two more medals with Rizki Juniansyah who will compete in the 73 kilogram weightlifting sport and Nurul Akmal compete in +81.

According to the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, the achievement of Veddriq is also proof that Indonesia has many superior athletes. Puan said that the Indonesian people should be proud because of Veddriq's victory as well as the history of Indonesia's first gold contributor from the long cliff branch in the Olympic speed wall climbing category.

"This means that Indonesia's gold medal barns at the Olympics are increasing. Not only from badminton, but also from other sports where Indonesia is now also superior," said Puan Maharani.

Puan believes that the Indonesian contingent will again fly the red and white flag on the 2024 Olympic podium, and the anthem Indonesia Raya is also expected to be heard again at the prestigious world sports event.

"We are all Indonesian people happy with this brilliant achievement. We send prayers and hopes from Indonesia to the Garuda Team who are still fighting at the Paris Olympics. Indonesia is on, Indonesia will definitely be able to," said Puan.

Indonesia's current position is the 46th in the 2024 Paris Olympics, which was previously in 72nd position. Meanwhile, Indonesia has a one-golden and one bronze medal from badminton.