Papua Bring 2 Gold From Rowing Branch PON XX

Stevani Maysche Ibo (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Papuan contingent brought two of the five gold medals up for grabs on Wednesday in the rowing sport of the 2021 Papua National Sports Week (PON) in Youtefa Bay, Jayapura City, Wednesday.

The first gold was contributed by Stevani Maysche Ibo in the women's 500 meters of kayak number one. The athlete, who is also a member of the Indonesian rowing national team, finished the fastest by recording a time of 2 minutes 07.532 seconds.

The gold is also the first gold for Papua from the rowing sport which has been contested since 27 September.

“I am very proud and grateful to the people of Papua who have supported the rowing team with prayers. Hopefully, in the future, we will still give out more gold", said Stevani Maysche Ibo after the race.

The silver medal in the women's 500 meters of kayak number one was won by the Riau contingent on behalf of Raudani Fitra (2 minutes 12,292 seconds), while the bronze medal was secured by Ramla from West Sulawesi (2 minutes 14,672 seconds).

The host public cheered again after two athletes, namely Dorsila Kumbubui/Syome Aledayane Monim presented another gold piece for Papua from kayak number two, women's 500 meters event.

Papua finished the fastest with a time of 2 minutes 0.099 seconds, leaving the DKI Jakarta team who finished second with a record of 2 minutes 02.257 seconds.

"Today I feel proud that I have donated gold to my family and Papuan people. Hopefully, this victory can be a motivation for female athletes to be more enthusiastic in other events", said Dorsila, who was carried on a stretcher by the medical team after the race due to shoulder cramps.

Meanwhile, West Java had to settle for bronze after Riana Yulistrian/Avenda Intan Safitri recorded a time of 2 minutes 02.399 seconds.

Rowing is one of the Papuan PON sports which starts earlier before the opening ceremony which will start on 2 October. The inaugural match opens on 27 September and will close on October 13.

The rowing branch competed for 40 gold medals, consisting of 15 gold from rowing, 16 canoeing, and nine from traditional boat races or dragon boats.