Jakarta (Antara) –
The Indonesian sport climbing team is poised to make history at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is full of optimism to achieve extraordinary results and bring honour to the nation.
Indonesia secured all four spots in both the men’s and women’s speed climbing events.
The quartet representing Indonesia in Paris includes Vedrick Leonard, Rahmad Adi Mulyono, Razia Sarsabila and Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi. They left for the French capital on Saturday morning.
“Our players have undergone rigorous training to maximize their technical and physical capabilities,” the team’s coach, Hendra Bashir, said in a statement.
The team’s departure marks a historic milestone for sport climbing in Indonesia, as the 2024 Olympics will mark the sport’s debut on the world’s grandest stage.
Given Desak and his teammates’ consistent dominance in international competitions, sport climbing is one of the main sports Indonesia will hope to win in Paris.
Vedrick held the men’s speed climbing world record when he clocked an incredible 4.90 seconds at the IFSC World Cup in Seoul, South Korea in 2023. However, his record was broken by US athlete Samuel Watson, who set a new world record of 4.79 seconds at the 2024 Wujiang IFSC World Cup.
Meanwhile, Desak is reigning as the queen of sport climbing in Asia, having won a gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. She will become the world champion at the IFSC Games in Bern, Switzerland in 2023 and earn an Olympic berth.
“I’m a little nervous but I’m really looking forward to starting the competition in Paris soon. I’m fully prepared and hopeful I can win a gold medal for Indonesia,” Desak said.
Rahamad, who booked his ticket to Paris by winning the Asian Qualifier in Jakarta, declared he is ready to compete in the Olympics. “I have put everything into my training and preparation and I am very hopeful that I can win the gold medal for Indonesia,” he said.
The Indonesian sport climbing team will conduct its Olympic campaign from August 4-10, 2024.
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Translated by Donny Aditola and Aditya Eko Sigit Wikaksono
Editor: Ajith Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
