Failed At The 2024 Olympics, Desak Made And Rajiah Sallsabillah Still Have High Dreams

Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi ran aground in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics (doc. NOC Indonesia/Naif Al'as).

JAKARTA rock climbing athlete Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi and Rajiah Sallsabillah failed to win medals in the women's speed number for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Desak Made's journey was stopped in the quarter-finals, while Rajiah lost the bronze medal on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

However, both of them did not want to give up. They still have a dream to donate medals to Indonesia at the Olympics.

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are the next target. They will be prepared for the next four years to be more mature in winning medals.

"If you are disappointed, yes, disappointed. There was an opportunity, but God has not given you. If there is an opportunity, you still want to fight again in Los Angeles 2028," said Rajiah Sallsabillah.

Rajiah Sallsabillah managed to get through the quarter-finals after defeating the representative of the United States, Emma Hunt. However, his steps ran aground in the semifinals against Chinese athlete Deng Lijuan.

He then appeared in the bronze medal match in the small final, but failed again. On that occasion, he lost to Polish athlete Aleksandra Kalucka.

Meanwhile, Desak fell in the quarter-finals after losing to Deng Lijuan with a thin time difference of 0.006 seconds. Desak made 6.369 seconds, while Deng was 6.363 seconds.

"I don't know what to say anymore. I was already fast, but I admit the opponent was faster. I will fight again in Los Angeles 2028," said Desak.

From the women's speed number, the gold medal was pocketed by Polish athlete, Aleksandra Miroslaw. He climbed the highest podium after defeating Deng Lijuan who brought home a silver medal.

For framed climbing, Indonesia now just has to hope for Veddriq Leonardo. The athlete will fight in the men's speed number on Thursday, August 8, 2024.