ASEAN Para Games 2022: Indonesia Determines To Embrace Thailand In The Archery Branch

A number of Indonesian athletes and other countries participate in training to try out the ASEAN Para Games XI 2022 archery competition arena, at the Kotabarat Solo Field, Thursday (28/7/2022). (Antara/Bambang Dwi Marwoto)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian archery team is ready to show off their abilities at the 2022 ASEAN Para Games (APG) in Solo, although there are many potential opponents who are quite dominant like the Thai team, this condition did not dampen Muhammad Ali's enthusiasm to pursue medals.

Thailand itself, according to the Indonesian Archery coach, Dedi Deco in his official statement in Solo, Saturday, came to Solo with the strength of athletes who have felt the intense competition at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

"Thai athletes do have better flight hours than us. But we can compete head to head with them," said Dedi Deco.

At the 2022 ASEAN Para Games, the Indonesian archery team fielded 12 athletes, namely Ken Swagumilang, Muhammad Ayodya, Kholidin, Muhammad Ali, Wahyu Retno Wulandari, Tuwariyah, Irma Yunita, Sadikin, Setiawan, Walminah, Mahda Aulia, and Sri Hartatik.

Although Thailand is considered to be dominant, the archery team is determined to be able to donate two gold to the Indonesian contingent. Moreover, the preparation in the West City Field, Solo is considered quite optimal both from recurve and compound numbers.

"We hope that gold can be achieved from the double and mix classes. The targets are Ken-Ali, and Kholidin-Mahda Aulia," explained Dedi Deco.

The 2022 ASEAN Para Games Archery will take place at the West City Square, Sunday (31/7). The match itself was opened through the qualifying round. The final according to the schedule will take place on August 3-5.

In this championship, only six countries competed, namely Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Singapore. Meanwhile, Timor Leste, Brunei Darussalam, Laos and Cambodia are absent from this biennial championship.