Failed In 2004, Erwin Abdullah Made Dreams Come True Through His Son At The 2020 Tokyo Olympics

Erwin Abdullah and his son, Rahmat Erwin Abdullah in Athens in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (Photo: IST)

TOKYO – Rahmat Erwin Abdullah won a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. His debut was an honor considering the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the largest and most prestigious multi-event in the world.

The father, Erwin Abdullah as well as coach Rahmat Erwin, was speechless. He was touched to see that his only son contributed to the name of the nation through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Erwin said he was proud of his son's progress. Rahmat's performance, who posted a total lift of 342kg (152kg snatch and 190kg clean&jerk) in Group B in the men's 73kg class, succeeded in bringing him to the third podium on Wednesday, 28 July 2021.

While the gold medal was won by Chinese lifter Shi Zhiyong who posted a total lift of 364kg (166kg snatch and 198kg clean &jerk) followed by Venezuelan lifter Mayora Pernia Julio Ruben with a total lift of 345kg (156kg snatch and 190kg clean & jerk).

Erwin said that behind his joy to see his son succeed in Tokyo, he was reminded of the bitter memories he experienced 17 years ago. Precisely when Rahmat, his baby with former lifter Ami AB, was 4 years old.

Erwin was selected to strengthen the Indonesian contingent at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Happiness naturally enveloped him when he arrived in Greece. However, the joy turned into tears when Erwin could not perform due to a spinal cord injury.

At that time, Erwin's story, he was faced with two choices, appear or not. He was unbelievably nervous after the Olympic Doctors Team forbade him to appear. Because, Erwin's injury is serious and has the potential to cause him to be completely paralyzed for life if he continues to force himself to appear. In the end, he chose not to appear with his family and future in mind.

"Performing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is the dream of all athletes because this multi-event is the ultimate goal that is the proudest for all athletes. It's really sad. I couldn't perform even though I was already in Athens. That's why I cried and shed tears regretting what happened. happened," said Erwin.

"I was forced to follow the doctor's advice not to appear because I really didn't want to experience paralysis. I also heard the press advice from the attache of the Indonesian Contingent (Olympics 2004, Linda Wahyudi) about the need to think about the future of my children and wife. There, I imagined the faces of my wife and Rahmat who is still small. I can't imagine what will happen to my family if I keep forcing myself to perform," he added.

Now, Erwin's sincerity is being reciprocated. Erwin, who is the coach of the Indonesian Weightlifting National Team (Timnas) witnessed his only child on stage. In fact, he saw Rahmat draped a bronze medal. Feeling touched and happy also enveloped him to see his son's achievement.

"At the 2004 Athens Olympics, I couldn't go on stage. But, at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Rahmat took my place on stage and donated a bronze medal. In Athens, I cried, But, in Tokyo, I was touched to see my son realize my dream. Happiness My wife and I are more complete because Rahmat won bronze, beyond my expectations because only targeting the top eight," said Erwin.

He explained that he had introduced Rahmat to weightlifting since he was 8 years old. The son's response also liked it. In fact, Rahmat still wants to practice with makeshift equipment with dim fishing lights at the Mattoangin Stadium, Makassar, South Sulawesi.

"I still remember that Rahmat at the beginning of training said, Rahmat wants to be like you who can compete in the country and abroad. Rahmat wants to feel what you have felt in weightlifting and Rahmat also wants to feel what you have never felt for a long time. became a weightlifter. The words came back to me," he added.

Rahmat has now felt what Erwin had never felt. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Rahmat was not only able to improve records in all his classes, but he also contributed a bronze medal as won by a young lifter, Windy Cantika in the women's 49kg class.

In that match, Rahmad recorded a total lift of 342kg (snatch 152kg and clean&jerk 190kg). This result surpassed Rahmat's record at the World Weightlifting Championships in Uzbekistan, last April. At that time, Rahmat recorded a total lift of 335 kg (148 kg snap and clean & jerk).

In addition to registering himself as an Indonesian athlete who excels in the international arena (Tokyo 2020 Olympics), Rahmat Erwin Abdullah also succeeded in realizing his father's dream, which failed at the 2004 Athens Olympics.