Not Yet Received A Gold Medal, Indonesian Dragon Boat Team Pede Aims At 1000 Meters

Indonesian dragon boat team at the 2023 Asian Games. (Photo: Doc. NOC Indonesia)

JAKARTA The Indonesian dragon boat team is optimistic that they can bring home the gold medal from the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games after contributing three silver medals and one bronze medal so far.

The gold medal that is targeted is from the men's and women's 1000 meters which was contested today, Friday, October 6, 2023. The coaching team has reorganized the strategy to pursue the target.

"We hope that in 1000 meters we can get a gold medal. From endurance and strength it must be hot from the start. Early starters in 50 meters the children must also have more full power so that we are not far behind. We must not be hot late so that we can get gold," said the coach of the Indonesian Dragon Boat Team Suryadi.

"There is an opportunity for the men's 1000 meters, it should be able to get better results. Because with this result we are not satisfied, the target has not been obtained. Break the gold first, then we are satisfied to be able to meet the target," he added.

Previously, the dragon boat team contributed the first silver medal in the women's 200 meters class after recording 54.464 seconds, Wednesday, October 4. Two silvers were then obtained from the men's and women's 500 meters competing today, Thursday, October 5.

In the men's 500 meters, Indonesia made 2 minutes 09.165 seconds or 0.02 seconds difference from China as the fastest. Meanwhile, in the women's number, they must recognize the advantage of the host after recording a time of 2 minutes 23.190 seconds.

The only bronze currently won by the men's team which fell in the 200 meters. With a record of 49.171 seconds, Indonesia became the third fastest behind China and Thailand.

"In the past two days we have completed 200 and 500 meters. For 200 meters we got one silver and bronze, indeed it is maximal according to our strategy," said Suryadi.

"For our target is in the gold medal, and we hope that we haven't got it in 500 meters where we close finish losing to China by a difference of only 0.02 seconds close. In plain view we are indeed superior, but after being shown a photo finish, we lost," he added.

To date, Indonesia is ranked 12th in the standings with 6 gold, 10 silver and 16 bronze medals. Indonesia is targeted to bring home 12 gold medals from this four-year event.