Agus Prayogo Presents The First Gold Medal From The 2023 Sea Games Athletics Branch

The runner from West Java won his first gold medal for athletics. (Doc. ANTARA)

THE FIRST gold medal from the 2023 SEA Games athletics was presented by Agus Prayogo after becoming the fastest in the marathon event which took place in the World Heritage Site area, Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Saturday.

The gold medal is Agus' seventh in the multi-event event of the SEA Games. This athlete from West Java has been involved in the SEA Games since the 2009 edition in Laos. At that time, he won gold from the 10,000-meter running number. He again became the best in the 10,000-m and 5,000th events at the 2011 SEA Games in Palembang (Indonesia).

After only winning bronze and silver at the 2013 SEA Games Naypyidaw (Myanmar) and the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore, the athlete who was born in Bogor on August 23, 1985 was again victorious at the 10,000 m at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur. At that time Agus also went down in the marathon and won silver.

At the 2019 SEA Games in Manila, Agus was the best in the marathon number, but failed to be maintained at the 2021 SEA Games Hanoi.

"I am grateful to have won gold again after Hanoi was only silver. This is for all Indonesian people," Agus told ANTARA after confirming victory.

According to Agus, he had tried to keep his distance from the start and at kilometer 17 began to try to escape.

"At kilometer 17 I tried to escape and continued to survive because based on my experience in Hanoi I lost after being overtaken by a Vietnamese runner in the last five kilometers," said the athlete who was 38 years old.

Regarding his next career, Agus emphasized that he could still survive for one or two more SEA Games.

"God willing, I can still be 2 or 3 years in the marathon. If it is still trusted by the manager and coach, I am always ready for the sake of the country," concluded Agus Prayogo, quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, May 6.