VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - The 2023 Indonesia Martial Arts Games (IMAG) held on October 22-31 in Bekasi and Bogor, West Java, showcased Indonesia's martial arts cultural heritage, Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo stated.

"We gather here to close the 1st IMAG, which was filled with pride. The achievement of this extraordinary event showed the spirit of unity and discipline in Indonesia's rich martial arts heritage," Minister Ariotedjo remarked at the closing of IMAG 2023 here on Tuesday.

IMAG 2023 is a national self-defense sports week with nine martial arts being competed in. Ariotedjo remarked that the IMAG is not only a martial arts competition but also a celebration of the sportsmanship values instilled in martial arts.

"This match was not only a competition but also a celebration of the values instilled in martial arts, and we would like to thank all athletes, coaches, officials, and volunteers, who have worked tirelessly to make IMAG 2023 a success," he remarked.

He said that the National Sports Committee of Indonesia (KONI), as the organizer of IMAG, will continue to hold the event every two years.

Nine martial arts forms -- fencing, shorinji kempo, ju-jitsu, hapkido, sambo, wrestling, wushu, kickboxing, and taekwondo -- were contested in the first edition of the event.

"Many young athletes participating in IMAG will represent their regions at the 21st National Sports Week in Aceh and North Sumatra in 2024," KONI Chairman Marciano Norman remarked.

He hoped that the athletes would level up in the tournaments they participate in, so Indonesia can produce international champions in future.

West Java emerged as the general champion, with Jakarta being the second best, and East Java clinching the third rank in the 2023 IMAG. (Antaranews)