Leani Ratri Oktila Hasn't Thought Of Retirement

Indonesian badminton athlete Leani Ratri Oktila (second from the right) upon arrival at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Jakarta (VOI/Cosmas Kopong Beda).

JAKARTA The athlete of Indonesian badminton, Leani Ratri Oktila, has not thought at all about retiring after winning a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

The 33-year-old badminton player said he did not rule out his return to the next Paralympics for the next four years in Los Angeles, United States.

"If health is given and I am still able to compete with my friends in 2028, then I hope to play," said Leani at Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

At the 2024 Paralympics, Leani was the only contributor to the gold medal for Indonesia. He achieved this achievement with his partner in the mixed doubles, namely Hikmat Ramdani.

The achievement is Leani's third gold medal in the history of the Paralympics. Previously, at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics which were postponed for a year due to the corona pandemic, she received a gold medal from the women's doubles and mixed doubles.

In addition to getting gold, Leani also managed to get a silver medal from Paris this year in the women's singles SL4. The record repeats her achievements in Tokyo in the same number and classification.

Leani said that if she could still play in Los Angeles later, then there is a possibility that she could only appear in one number because she is no longer young.

"Maybe only in one number because it can't be denied that the development of opponents abroad is very good, but that doesn't mean it's not good here," said the Bangkiang-born athlete.

Leani and a group of Indonesian contingents have returned from Paris and arrived at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Cengkareng, Jakarta, on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, evening WIB.

They were welcomed by the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo and the Chief de Mission (CdM) of the Indonesian Contingent Reda Manthovanani in the VIP Room Terminal 3.

"We are grateful that we have returned to Indonesia with a maximum medal, one gold medal and one silver for me. I can also maintain mixed doubles titles even with different pairs. Of course I am very grateful," said Leani.

The Indonesian contingent managed to bring home a total of 14 medals from France this year. The achievements consisted of one gold medal, eight silver medals, and five bronze medals.

The number of medals is the most in the history of the Paralympics. This achievement also exceeded the target brought by the Indonesian contingent when leaving for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.