Rio Waida Fails At Tokyo Olympics, NOC Chairman: He Has Incredible Potential

King Sapta Oktohari and Rio Waida (Photo: NOC)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) Raja Sapta Oktohari assesses that Rio Waida has tried his best to beat Japanese host Kanoa Igarashi's mainstay surfer in Round III of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics surfing sport.

In the competition which was played at Tsurigasaki Beach, Chiba Japan, Monday, July 26, this Indonesian-Japanese surfer had to acknowledge the superiority of Igarashi, who was ranked 6th in the world.

"It's not easy to beat Igarashi, who is ranked 6th in the world and compete at home," said Okto, the nickname, Raja Sapta, who witnessed Rio's performance at Tsurigasaki Beach in an official statement received by the editor.

Okto assesses Rio Waida as a surf athlete who has potential. Moreover, he said, Rio was still young, 21 years old.

"He has tremendous potential. This appearance in Tokyo is a valuable lesson to be better in the future," he said again.

Okto explained that potential athletes like Rio must continue to increase their flying hours. Moreover, surfing is certain to be contested in up to three future Olympics, namely Paris (2024), Los Angeles (2028), Brisbane (2032).

After appearing at the Olympics, said Okto, Rio will prepare to appear at the World Surfing Championships to be held in Mexico, August 10, 2021.

Considering that surfing has been included in the official Olympic sport, Okto said, NOC Indonesia will directly oversee the movement of Rio Waida and his team who are compiling a coaching program and calendar of events to be followed.

This is in accordance with the Great Design of National Sports that was born in the era of Menpora Zainudin Amali where his mission was to make the Olympics as the main target.

"This surfing sport has the potential to become a mainstay sport because Indonesia has many beaches. I believe we have many surf athletes like Rio who have the potential to appear in the Olympics," he said.