Winning 10 Golds, Indonesia Exceeds Target At Special Olympics World Summer Games 2023

The Indonesian contingent managed to exceed the target at SOWSG Berlin 2023 by bringing home 10 gold medals with the previous target of 9 gold. (Kemenpora)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian contingent managed to exceed the target by bringing home 10 gold medals from the 2023 Special Olympics World Summer Games (SOWSG) in Berlin, Germany, which started from Saturday (17/6) until the last day of Sunday (25/6).

General Chairperson of the Indonesian Special Olympics (SOIna) Central Executive, Warsito Ellwein, said the achievement of the Red and White squad exceeded the target set, which was nine gold.

"What is most important is our opportunity to show the world that we are always united, always together," said Warsito in a written statement received by Antara in Jakarta, Sunday.

Initially, continued Warsito, many doubted the target of nine gold. However, Indonesian athletes managed to prove proud achievements.

The journey of Indonesia's representatives in Berlin ended sweetly after runners from Dompu Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Zakaria again presented gold by winning the men's 400 meters level A.

Zaki, Zakaria's nickname, narrowly won with a record time of 50.84 seconds over silver winner from Special Olympics Botswana Lefika NTEBO who recorded a time of 50.92 seconds. Meanwhile, a runner from▁Dunia and Tobagong is still 15 years old Cadel Cuffy won bronze with a time of 53.12 seconds.

After the match, Zaki said he was nervous before running because he had to face tough opponents. Runners have also competed from the beginning from the vision stage to the final phase.

Thus Zaki presented two golds for Indonesia. The day before he won in the 100 meters level A. Today I am very happy to again present gold to Indonesia," said Zaki.

Overall, Indonesia collected 10 gold, five silver, and eight bronze. The white-winning squad fielded 25 athletes from 17 provinces.

They took part in seven sports, namely badminton, swimming, table tennis, Boling, athletics, rhythmic and artistic gymnastics.

Based on the official SOWSG 2023 website, around 7,000 athletes and officials from 170 countries will compete in 24 sports.

In addition to the seven sports that Indonesia is participating in, the quadrennial sporting event also competes in open water swimming, basketball, boccia, bicycle racing, equestrians, football, golf, judo, handball, kayak, weightlifting, rollerblading, sailing, tennis, and indoor volleyball as well as beach volleyball.