Kholidin One-Handed Archer Optimistic To Win Gold At ASEAN Para Games 2022

Kholidin one-armed archer (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - One-armed archer Kholidin is optimistic that he will be able to win a gold medal in the archery sport at the 2022 ASEAN Para Games (APG) in Solo.

"Alhamdulillah, the first session got 1st place, but the second session got 3rd place," said Kholidin after undergoing the men's 70-meter recurve qualifying class match at the Solo Barat City Field, Sunday, quoted by Antara.

Although the results were still quite satisfactory, he admitted that there was a decline in performance in the second session so that his ranking dropped from 1 to 3.

"Earlier there was a little wind, I also didn't press a little grip. The same is a little less tight. However, from the results of these two sessions, I still enter the next round, tomorrow is the elimination," he said.

He said that so far he did not know who he would face in the next round match on Monday.

"Look at the order first, usually with Thailand. So far the preparations have been maximal, just ask for prayers," he said.

Kholidin, who when shooting relies on his teeth and mouth as a substitute for his right hand, admitted that Thailand and Singapore were Indonesia's toughest opponents.

"They (athletes) have entered the Paralympics, they have already entered the Olympics. So events like this are used to it, if I'm international this is the second time. First in the Czech Republic, I was ranked seventh in the world, in 2021," he said.

Meanwhile, Kholidin, who has been active in archery since 2016, is now used to drawing a bow using his teeth and mouth.

"In the beginning it often bleeds. Even now it still bleeds when it hits the lips," he said.

However, he remains optimistic that he will be able to donate a gold medal through the APG 2022 archery sport.