Jokowi Congratulates Ni Nengah Widiasih, Indonesia's First Medal Contributor At The Tokyo Paralympics

President Jokowi (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo congratulated Indonesian female para-powerlifting athlete, Ni Negah Widiasih, who won the first medal for the Red and White at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

"Good news comes from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, this afternoon. Weightlifter Ni Nengah Widiasih won the first medal for Indonesia, by winning a silver medal in the women's 41 kg class", said President Jokowi via Instagram account @jokowi which was uploaded on Thursday.

Indonesian lifter Ni Nengah Widiasih dropped in the 41-kilogram class and won a silver medal after posting a 98-kilogram lift at the Tokyo International Forum.

"Congratulations to Ni Nengah Widiasih", added the President.

The athlete, who is usually called Widi, smoothly opened the first batch weighing 96 kg. However, she failed to complete her lift when the load was increased to 98 kg on the second attempt.

Luckily, the 28-year-old lifter managed to make up for the failure of the 98 kg lift on the third occasion and ensured the first medal for Indonesia.

Widi's record has increased compared to what she achieved at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics when she posted a weight of 95 kg and won a bronze medal.

In addition, the record of 98 kg is also the best in her career as a para-powerlifting athlete in the 41 kg class.

Meanwhile, the gold medal was secured by Chinese lifter Guo Lingling. He also broke the 41 kg world record in his own name by recording the best lift of 108 kg.

The bronze medal was won by Venezuelan lifter, Clara Sarah Monasterio, with her best lift of 97 kg.