VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia's Dwiska Afrilia Maharani and Elsa Dewi Saputri have bagged two gold medals in para powerlifting at the Bahrain 2021 Asian Youth Para Games (AYPG).

According to a written statement issued by Indonesia's National Paralympic Committee (NPC) on Monday, Maharalani won in the women 79kg category, while Saputri emerged victorious in the +86kg category.

The competition was held at Khalifa Sports City Stadium, Isa Town, Bahrain on Sunday.

"This achievement made us all proud because, from the beginning, we did not force our athletes to win a medal," the Indonesian contingent's chef de mission (CdM), Edward Hutahayan, noted in his official statement on Monday.

"I only urged all athletes to give it all they had got because this was an extraordinary occasion for them to fight on the international stage," he remarked.

Para powerlifting is expected to be Indonesia's winning sports branch in several international championships, including the upcoming 2024 Summer Paralympics, he added.

Indonesia has also won a gold medal in the single boccia sports branch. The medal was clinched by Febriyanti Vani Rahmadhani in the women's BC2 category.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Bintang Satria won a silver in the men's BC2 event and Muhammad Afrizal Syafa took home the bronze medal in the men's BC1 event.

"The medal gold for the single category surprised us because, from the beginning, we aimed to win gold ins the team category," Boccia's coach Islahuzzaman noted.

Indonesia still has a shot at adding another gold medal in the BC1-BC2 team category, he said. The Indonesian team for the event comprises Muhammad Bintang Satria, Muhammad Afrizal Syafa, and Febriyanti Vani Rahmadhani.

They will take on the Thailand team today.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Rizki won silver for Indonesia in the -70 kg category of para taekwondo. (Antaranews)