JAKARTA - Indonesian cyclists immediately stepped on the gas and won the first gold medal at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games. Indonesia also overshadowed the host Thailand which topped the provisional standings.
The DIY-based cycling athlete, Nurfendi, was the fastest in the men's time trial race in the B category or blind which covered a distance of 31.2 km at Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Nurfendi, who teamed up with pilot Mufti Fadilah Salma, recorded a time of 41 minutes 59.763 seconds.
Nurfendi/Mufti defeated Thailand's mainstay racers, Surachai Yokphanitchakit/Jetsada who recorded a time of 42 minutes 10.546 seconds and Patiphat Hemphitak/Thanakom with a time of 42 minutes 56.933 seconds.
Nurfendi's success was beyond expectations. The reason is, he was defeated by his opponent in December 2025. However, Nurfendi was able to repay it at APG. The tears of grief immediately broke out after Nurfendi/Mufti touched the first finish line at the prestigious Southeast Asian level championship.
"I am very happy with this success. For me, this achievement is extraordinary because it exceeds the target. In the race, the competition was very tight. Moreover, we had already competed with Thai racers in December. The result was that we lost. This makes the victory feel extraordinary and indeed beyond prediction," said Nurfendi who was paired with Mufti in August 2025.
"This gold medal I dedicate to the nation and the country. I also thank my pilot, Aa Mufti, the coaches who have been patient in training me and my family," he continued.
Indonesia did not have to wait long to get the second gold medal. The Central Java-based cycling athlete, Vanza Mifthahul Jannah, also won gold in the women's time trial category B.
In tandem with Salsa Billah Nikmatus Zahra, the pair recorded the fastest time of 34 minutes 55.616 seconds. Vanza/Salsa outpaced Malaysian athlete Nur Azlia Syafinaz and Thai athlete Watcharobon Boonmalert in this 23.4 km race.
Indonesia not only achieved success in the cycling race, but the para swimming athletes also presented three gold medals. The swimmer Siti Alfiah who appeared in the 100 meter freestyle S6 women's event successfully won gold. Siti Aliah's success was followed by Mutiara Cantik Harsanto from the 100 meter breaststroke SB9 women's class and Syuci Indriani from the 100 meter butterfly S14 women's class.
The success of the para swimming athletes in winning gold medals at the Aquatic Center, His Majesty the King's 80th Birthday Anniversary Stadium, was witnessed by the Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir who came with the Chef de Mission (CdM) Indonesia, Reda Manthovani.
"Alhamdulillah we have won six gold medals. From cycling, we got three gold medals. It just so happens that I was with CdM, Professor Reda Manthovani, watching the swimming event which also won three gold medals," said Erick Thohir.
The Minister of Youth and Sports said further, "Some are targeted to win silver, but instead get gold. This is what we encourage all athletes to give their best that we must reflect as a nation that has disability."
On the first day of the APG, Thailand showed dominance in a number of sports and immediately topped the standings. The host has already won 19 gold, 16 silver and 18 bronze.
Indonesia, which ranks second, overshadows Thailand after winning 12 gold, 11 silver and seven bronze. Indonesia must also be wary of Vietnam, who occupy third place. They won eight gold, five silver and six bronze.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
