Being The Only Indonesian Representative In The 2022 Indoor Athletics World Championships, Zohri: I'm Healthy And Fit, I'm Ready To Compete

Then Muhammad Zohri (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Then Muhammad Zohri will be the only representative of Indonesia in the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships at Stark Arena, Belgrade, Serbia, March 18-20.

The 21-year-old runner is scheduled to compete in the men's 60 meters. Zohri had the opportunity to appear in the prestigious championship for the first time after receiving an invitation and will compete with world-class athletes from various other countries.

For Zohri, this is the first international event after the last time he played at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which will take place on July 23, 2021 - August 8, 2021. At that time, Zohri took part in the men's 100 meters and finished fifth in the first round with a time of 10.26 seconds.

As for the national event, the sprinter from North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) last appeared at the XX Papua National Sports Week (PON) on 2-15 October 2021.

"My current condition is healthy and fit. There are no problems whatsoever. The point is that in 2022, I am ready to compete," Zohri said, quoted by Antara, Friday.

Actually, Zohri is scheduled to start 2022, playing in the 9th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Nur Sultan, Kazakhstan on February 11-13. In the event, Indonesia plans to field seven of the best athletes. Besides Zohri, there are Barik Abrar, Sapwaturrahman, Tyas Murtiningsih, Sri Maya Sari, Maria Natalia Londa, and Emilia Nova.

However, they were canceled due to the 9th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Kazakhstan being postponed again due to the high number of COVID-19 cases.

"Actually, this February I went to Kazakhstan. But due to problems, it was canceled. Finally, I focused on facing the Indoor Athletics World Championships in Serbia," added the athlete who was born on July 1, 2000.

Zohri says so far the preparations are going well. He and other athletes from the national training camp (pelatnas) practiced at the Bung Karno Intermediate Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta. "Training is normal and every day, except Sunday. Thank goodness the stadium is not closed," he said.

Zohri also asked for prayers and support from the Indonesian people in order to achieve maximum results in Serbia later. "Hopefully I can continue to give the best achievements for Indonesia," said the 2018 U20 World Championship 100-meter gold winner.