Eko Yuli Still Participates In SEA Games At The Age Of 32: If Anyone Can Match Me, I Can Stop First

Eko Yuli will appear at the 2021 SEA Games. (Photo: Instagram @ekopower61)

JAKARTA - A weightlifting athlete, Eko Yuli Irawan, is Indonesia's hope to win a medal at the 2021 SEA Games Hanoi. Even though he is no longer young, at 32 years old, Eko Yuli seems irreplaceable.

Eko Yuli will go down in the 61-kilogram class. He admitted that he was still motivated to present a medal for Indonesia even though he was no longer young.

According to him, age is not a barrier to achievement. After all, until now, no Indonesian lifter has been able to match his weight record.

"As long as Indonesia still needs me, I will fight. For the age issue, if it is needed to win gold why not, because until now I am still the best in my class, and my teammate has not been able to touch me (total force)," said Eko Yuli, as quoted by Antara.

"So if anyone can at least match the (generation) alone, I can stop first and be replaced by juniors," he continued.

The 2019 Philippines SEA Games gold medalist was chosen to be re-elected because he has the best record based on the results of the national selection held by PABSI last month. However, the athlete who has appeared in the Olympics four times in a row is currently joining PABSI specifically for the preparation of the 2021 SEA Games, considering that he is no longer part of the National Training Center.

Deputy Chairperson of PABSI, Djoko Pramono, emphasized that Eko was again sent to appear at the SEA Games because he is still the best lifter in his class.

"Eko did not enter the national training but was in preparation for the SEA Games. It's not that we didn't want to take him to the national training, but he went out on his own, looking for his own coach. Then he said he wanted to join (SEA Games), come on. He took part in the National Selection. There is no one (lifter) who can beat him, so he must be sent. So there is no problem," said Djoko.