VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo congratulated Indonesian female para-powerlifting athlete Ni Negah Widiasih who won the first medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

"Good news comes from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, this afternoon. Weightlifter Ni Nengah Widiasih won the first medal for Indonesia, by winning a silver medal in the women's 41 kg class," President Joko Widodo said via his Instagram account @jokowi which was uploaded, Thursday.

Indonesian lifter Ni Nengah Widiasih dropped in the 41kg class and won a silver medal after posting a 98kg lift at the Tokyo International Forum.

"Congratulations to Ni Nengah Widiasih," the President said.

Widiasih smoothly opened the first batch weighing 96kg but failed to complete her lift when the load was increased to 98kg on the second try.

Luckily, the 28-year-old lifter managed to make up for the failure of the 98kg lift on the third occasion and ensured the first medal for Indonesia.

Widiasih's record has improved compared to what she achieved at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics when she posted a weight of 95kg and won a bronze medal.

In addition, the record of 98kg is also the best record in her career as a para-powerlifting athlete in the 41kg class.

Meanwhile, the gold medal was secured by Chinese lifter Guo Lingling. Lingling also broke the 41kg world record in her own name by recording the best lift of 108kg.

The bronze medal was won by Venezuelan lifter Clara Sarahy Munasterio with her best lift of 97kg. (Antaranews)