REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia finally won its first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It was Veddriq Leonardo of rock climbing who managed to carry on Indonesia's gold medal tradition on the highest stage of the world sport.
In addition, Veddriq also marked the history of the first gold medalist for Indonesia from a sport outside badminton. At the same time the first medal since the speed numbers were contested separately in the history of the Olympic Games. Because in Tokyo, lead border and speed are merged.
“It's a pleasure, thank you Indonesian people. The sport is new, but given credence and can be proved by reaching for gold. I am grateful for this achievement and I am proud of this achievement,” Veddriq said after the race.
“This gold medal is a blessing and it is also the hard work, effort, dedication of all the team of coaches, athletes, family friends who have given prayers and support. This is also a gift for Indonesia on its 79th anniversary,” he added.
Veddriq's move at the Site d'escalade du Bourget, spelled out smooth to be able to come out as a champion. Since the elimination seeding all the way to the final, Veddriq has never tasted defeat.
In the quarterfinal round, Veddriq who faced the vice-host Bassa Mawem went on to win. Veddriq clocked a time of 4.88 seconds, while Mawem 5.26 seconds.
In the semifinals, Veddriq met Rezza Ali Pour who was also his opponent in the semifinals of the 2022 Asian Games. At that time, climbers from Pontianak lost and won the bronze medal.
However, at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Veddriq was able to avenge his defeat. He managed to record a time of 4.78 seconds and Ali Pour 4.84 seconds.
In the final round, Veddriq faced off against Chinese representative Wu Peng. The two met in Hangzhou's 2022 Asian Games third-place finish. As a result, Veddriq won and managed to take home the bronze medal.
In Paris, Veddriq again showed his class in the presence of Wu Peng. Veddriq finished 4.75 seconds or faster over the Chinese representative who clocked a time of 4.77 seconds while ensuring the first gold medal for Team Indonesia at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Indonesia should be grateful and grateful that we have a history of gold medals beyond badminton. This means that Indonesia can cooperate with anyone, including the United States and China. This will add to the spirit although in recent times, there are still Rizki Juniansyah, Bernard van Aert and Nurul Akmal as well,” said CdM Anindya.
In the men's speed, the bronze medal was won by Sam Watson of the United States, who beat Ali Pour by 4.74 seconds while improving his own world record of 4.79 seconds.
“Who is not sad, who is not proud of Indonesia getting the first gold medal. Greater Indonesia is gathering. But don't stop praying because there are still more opportunities,” said Raja Sapta Oktohari, Chairman General of the Indonesian Olympic Committee.
“I was with IOC President Thomas Bach and French NOC David Lappartient, they witnessed how Indonesia got its first gold. And they gave congratulations. It is also a momentum because we want to bid Youth Olympic 2030,” he continued.
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