JABAR EKSPRES –Indonesian wrestling immediately exceeded the gold medal target at the Cambodia SEA Games XXXII/2023 through four wrestlers who appeared on the first day of competition at the Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Center, Phnom Penh, Sunday (5/14).
Four representatives who performed in the men’s Greco-Roman wrestling number, namely Suparmanto (63 kg class), M. Aliansyah (67 kg), Andika Sulaeman (77 kg), and Lulut Gilang Saputra (87kg) managed to be the best to beat opponents in their respective classes.
Suparmanto won the gold medal after defeating four competitors namely Noel Negrosa Norada (Philippines), Nuttapong Hinmee (Thailand), and Chray Pros (Cambodia) in a competition that used the half competition format.
Meanwhile, Aliansyah won the gold medal after being the best of five other participants, namely Manh Hung Bui (Vietnam), Chlovelle Van Ygona Adolfo (Philippines), Sihavong Dawson Stephen (Laos), Eng Phanit (Cambodia), and Wiraphong Phenphim (Thailand).
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Andika also achieved a similar feat, defeating his opponents. Even so with Lulut Gilang who won a gold medal in the 87 kg class.
The coach of the Greco-Roman style specialist wrestling team, Fathur Rahman, said the achievement was special.
“Today also shows at the same time. Our athletes are not inferior and Vietnam. It’s just that flying hours make the difference. I asked the Vietnamese coach earlier, they prepared to train for several months in a Russian fraction country,” said Fathur.
With the acquisition of four gold on the first day, wrestling has exceeded the gold target of two gold pieces. The remaining three were silver and four were bronze. Indonesian wrestlers will still fight in the next 10 numbers of women’s and men’s freestyle.
“Last year when there were only 4 athletes, we managed to exceed the target with 3 silver. Now it’s only the first day, it’s been exceeded. Hopefully, we will be given more trust,” said the Chairman of the Indonesian Wrestling Association Trimedya Panjaitan.
