Elevated Indonesia to new heights, showcasing extraordinary talent and determination, and inspiring a nation with remarkable achievements

Indonesia has once again showcased its strength on the international stage at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where two young athletes captured gold medals and made history. Rizki Juniansyah, a 21-year-old weightlifter, emerged as a national hero by winning gold in the men’s 73-kilogram weightlifting category, while Veddriq Leonardo solidified his legacy in the men’s speed climbing event.

Rizki's outstanding performance in the weightlifting competition, held on Friday, August 9, 2024, at South Paris Arena, was a testament to his dedication and hard work. With a total lift of 354 kilograms, Rizki outperformed his rivals and secured the gold medal. This achievement reflects not only his personal determination but also the relentless efforts of his team in overcoming the intense competition from top athletes around the world.

Initially, Rizki trailed behind Shi Zhiyong of China by 10 kilograms and Julio Mayora Pernia of Venezuela by 1 kilogram after the snatch session. However, the dynamics of the competition shifted dramatically when both of his main competitors failed to register a valid lift in the clean-and-jerk session, removing them from medal contention. Rizki seized this opportunity, requiring only one successful lift of 191 kilograms to clinch the gold. With unwavering confidence, he completed the lift, securing the victory and the gold medal.

Indonesia's triumph continued with Veddriq Leonardo in the men’s speed climbing category, where he recorded an astonishing time of 4.75 seconds. Veddriq’s remarkable performance not only earned him the gold medal but also marked Indonesia’s second gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics. With these wins, Indonesia's medal tally now stands at three: two golds and one bronze, the latter won by Gregoria Mariska Tunjung in the women’s singles badminton event.

These gold medals are a significant milestone for Indonesia, reminiscent of the country’s double gold achievement at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics in badminton, when Alan Budikusuma and Susy Susanti became national icons by winning the men’s and women’s singles events.

Throughout its Olympic history, Indonesia has accumulated a total of 10 gold medals, eight of which have come from badminton. However, at the Paris 2024 Olympics, badminton—long Indonesia's dominant sport—did not contribute to the gold medal count.

According to badminton analyst Daryadi and legend Imelda Wiguna, the high expectations placed on the athletes, particularly in the women’s doubles category, were a key factor in influencing the outcomes. Despite this, the gold medals won by Rizki and Veddriq offer new hope and demonstrate Indonesia’s vast potential across different sports.

Looking ahead, Indonesia still has a chance to increase its medal haul, especially with weightlifter Nurul Akmal set to compete in the +83 kilogram women’s category. The unwavering support from the Indonesian people will surely provide additional motivation for the athletes as they continue to strive for excellence at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

photo source : instagram.com/rjuniansyah_/ and instagram.com/veddriq/

#gold medal winners Paris 2024 #Rizki Juniansyah achievements #Veddriq Leonardo Olympics #Indonesia weightlifting gold #Indonesia speed climbing champion #Paris Olympics Indonesian athletes #Olympic gold medal Indonesia #sports achievements Indonesia #Rizki Juniansyah weightlifting #Veddriq Leonardo speed climbing #Indonesia Olympic history #Paris 2024 sports highlights #young athletes Indonesia #Olympic success stories #Indonesia sports triumphs #gold medal Indonesia Paris #Rizki Juniansyah Veddriq Leonardo #Indonesian sports legacy #inspiring athletes Indonesia #media #article #rsvp clique #rc