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File - Indonesian weightlifter Eko Yuli Irawan performs the snatch lift in the men's 61 kg category during the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on May 13, 2023. (ANTARA PHOTOS/Muhammad Adimaja/aww/nbl) - 

VOInews, Jakarta : The Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC) applauded lifter Eko Yuli Irawan for his fifth Olympic participation streak after passing the qualifications for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. 

"He has made a new historical feat in Indonesian sports by becoming the first athlete to compete in five consecutive Olympics," NOC Indonesia Chairperson Raja Sapta Oktohari said in a press release on Wednesday.

Irawan secured a spot to compete in the 2024 Olympics after completing a 133 kg snatch at the International Weightlifting World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, on Tuesday.

However, the 34-year-old lifter did not complete his clean-and-jerk due to his ongoing recovery from a knee injury.

The 2024 Olympics will be Irawan's fifth consecutive Olympics since his first appearance at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The lifter had won silver medals in the 2016 and 2020 Olympics and bronze medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

Oktohari said that NOC Indonesia is glad that Irawan qualified again for the Olympics. He stated that Irawan's consistency in presenting his best performance should be exemplary for other Indonesian athletes.

He hailed Indonesian weightlifters for always participating in the Olympics and contributing medals for the nation's contingent. He also appealed for support from Indonesians to win the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.

"We hope we can get our first gold medal in Paris in 2024," Oktohari stated.

According to NOC Indonesia, eight athletes have qualified to participate in the 2024 Olympics. They are Eko Yuli Irawan from weightlifting, Arif Dwi Pangestu and Diananda Choirunisa from archery, and Rifda Irfanaluthfi from gymnastics.

Meanwhile, Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi and Rahmad Adi Mulyono from sport climbing, Fathur Gustafian from shooting, and Rio Waida from surfing also qualified for the Olympics//ANTARA-VOI