The Cantika Medal Opens The Way To Indonesia's Success At The Tokyo Olympics

Windy Cantika Aisah (Photo: Special)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's future female weightlifter, Windy Cantika Aisah, made her first appearance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics weightlifting. The girl, who turned 19 last month, paved the way for Indonesia's success at the world's most prestigious sporting event.

Cantika is entitled to a bronze medal in the women's 49kg class with a total force of 194kg (84kg snatch and 110 clean&jerk). With this result, the daughter of former national lifter Siti Aisah is listed as the first athlete to donate medals to the Indonesian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics.

“Alhamdulillah, I am very happy to be able to present a medal for Indonesia. I feel nervous because the class and other rivals are only slightly different," said Cantika after the match, in a statement on Saturday, July 24.

Appearing at the Tokyo International Forum Hall, Cantika had problems in the first batch of snatch weighing 84kg. However, the failure was redeemed in the second generation. Although his movement was a little slow, he managed to secure the 84kg weight.

In the third batch, Cantika increased her weight to 87 kg. However, he couldn't finish it perfectly.

In the clean & jerk class, Cantika immediately set a 103 kg mark in the first batch. Unlike the snatch, this time he successfully finished.

In the second batch, Cantika increased her weight to 108kg. Again, he managed to secure it. Likewise in the third batch weighing 110 kg. Although his steps trembled slightly when lifting, he was able to lift it well and was entitled to a bronze medal with a total lift of 194 kg.

“I feel nervous because the force is a little different from other rivals. Especially during the snatch class, but I tried to stay calm because on stage there were actually only athletes and barbells,” said Cantika.

Meanwhile, Chef de Mission of the Indonesian Contingent for the Tokyo Olympics Rosan P Roeslani hopes that the Cantika medal can be a motivational boost for other athletes to show their best performances at the Olympics.

The man who also serves as Chairman of PB PABSI hopes that Cantika's success can be continued. Indonesia has the potential to win an additional gold medal from Eko Yuli Irawan who will go down in the men's 61 kg class on Sunday (25/07).

"Alhamdullilah, just yesterday we attended the opening ceremony, the Indonesian Cantika athlete managed to give a medal on the first day. Hopefully this positive step can be continued by our other athletes,” said Rosan, who is also a candidate for Ambassador to the United States.

“As the Chair of PB PABSI, of course I feel proud because the medals presented by Cantika managed to maintain the tradition of weightlifting as a medal contributor at the Olympics for the last 20 years. I feel proud and of course I hope that there will be other medals that will be presented by Indonesian athletes, "

The women's 49 kg gold medal was won by Chinese female lifter Hou Zhihui with a total force of 210 kg (94 kg snatch and 116 kg clean & jerk)

The silver medal was won by Indian lifter Chanu Saikhtom Mirabai. He won a total value of 202kg from the results of the 87kg snatch and 115kg clean and jerk.