JAKARTA – Indonesian-American swimming athlete, Kaikea Putra Boyum Crews, is defending the national team at the 2021 SEA Games Hanoi. He has previously carried the name Merah Putih in international competitions.
Kaikea has undergone a national selection for the time trial and 100 meters backstroke. In that selection, he recorded the best time of 56.09 seconds or still the fastest compared to the results of the 2021 Papua PON.
"Being able to defend Indonesia at the SEA Games is very important. I am proud to defend Indonesia and can also be proud of my family in Java," said Kaikea in an official statement from PB PRSI received by VOI.
At the PON Papua 2021, the 100 meter backstroke which won the gold medal carved a time of 56.18 seconds. It was carved by Siman Sudartawa, who was ahead of Farrell Armandio Tangkas 56.24 seconds.
Vice Chairman of PB PRSI Harlin Rahardjo said, Kaikea is a swimmer who has advantages in the backstroke numbers 50, 100 and 200 meters. However, the strongest in the 100 meters backstroke.
"Hopefully Kaikea will be better later," said Harlin.
Kaikea is the son of a former national swimmer, Metri Widya Pangestika who has defended the Indonesian national team at the SEA Games six times. Meitri also became the last batch of athletes from swimming to present a medal.
Precisely the bronze medal in the women's 4x100 meter freestyle relay at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing. At that time Meitri performed with Kim Thia Fei, Yen Yen Gunawan and Elfira Rosa Nasution.
"I also initially did not force Kaikea to swim. Just for safety. However, over time I became fond of it until now," explained Meitri.
Kaikea has carried the Red and White flag twice when performing the 2017 SEA Age Group Swimming Championship in Brunei Darussalam and the 2019 Junior Swimming World Championship in Budapest, Hungary.
Apart from excelling in swimming, Kaikea is active in education. Currently, he is getting a scholarship at the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in Conservation Resource Management.
The Hanoi SEA Games will take place from 12-23 May. For the swimming branch, the quota of athletes sent is as many as 16 people, according to government directives. However, PRSI hopes that there will be additions to accommodate young athletes.
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