VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesia Team added Indonesian Open 2018 championship trophy after Marcus/Kevin won in the men’s doubles final. Pair of Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo became the champion of the men's doubles in Indonesia Open 2018 after defeating Japan representative in final round on Sunday (8/7). Held in Istora Senayan, Jakarta, the duo “Minions” locked the title through a two-set game in 30 minutes after stopping the seventh mainstay resistance, Takuto Inou and Yuki Kaneko (21-13, 21-16). BWF recorded that this was the fourth meeting for them. Previously, Marcus and Kevin were able to win three victories over the world's eighth doubles on the Japan Open 2017, India Open 2017, and Chinese Taipei Open 2015. Meanwhile, mixed doubles was won by the pair of Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir. In final game, Owi/Butet won easily a two-set game over Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying, a Malaysian representative in 38 minutes (21-17, 21-18). For Marcus/Kevin, this was their first Indonesia Open trophy. The two titles achievement in Indonesia Open 2018 were in accordance with the targets set by Badminton Association of Indonesia –PBSI. Previously, Head of Coaching and Performance PP PBSI, Susy Susanti said that if based on the ranking, there was only chance of men's doubles and mixed doubles.

Pertamina Prema Theodore Racing Team gained eight points in two races of Formula 2 at Silverstone Circuit, England that ended on last Sunday (8/7). Based on data collected in Jakarta from official Formula 2 page, the eight points were gained by Dutch racer, Nyck De Vries with six points from the feature race and two points from the sprint race. With an additional eight points, a team fully supported by Jagonya Ayam KFC Indonesia is at sixth position standing with 112 points. While the top position was occupied by the ART Grand Prix team with 219 points. For Pertamina Prema Theodore Racing team, the opportunity to grab more was quite open in the sprint race after Nyck De Vries started the race from second position, but the results of the race was different because the Dutch racer only finished at seventh position. Meanwhile, Indonesia racer who strengthens Pertamina Prema's team, Sean Gelael started from 19^th position, and finished the race in the 16^th place. He also performed well following two racers in front of him. However, he could not do much because it was difficult to start the race from the hind position, especially with policy start of the race initiated with a safety car guide. The sprint race champion title was finally grabbed by BWT Arden team rider, Maximilian Gunther. The German racer was quite comfortable to finish first after starting the race from pole position.

Three from eight Indonesia women tennis players advanced to the second half after defeating their opponents in the women's singles championship series -PP Women's Circuit International Tennis 2018 at Tennis Court Gelora Manahan Solo, Central Java on last Tuesday (10/7). Indonesia three tennis players who qualified for the second round are Aldila Sutjiadi, Joleta Budiman, and Rifanty Kahfiani. While the other five: Arrum Damarsari, Priska Nugroho, Deria Nur Haliza, Fitriana Sabrina, and S Suyaningsih failed in the first round. Tennis player, Joleta Budiman who was qualified for the second round after stopping the mainstay tennis player number 8 from Kazakhstan, Z Kulamba Yeva, played a three-set game with the score 2-6, 6-4, and 6-4. Rifanty Kahfiani defeated Japanese tennis player, Yuka Hosoki with the score 6-2 and 6-1, while Aldila Sutjiadi defeated her compatriot, Priska Nugroho with the score 2-6, 6-2, and 6-4. Deputy Secretary General of the Indonesian Tennis Federation of Lawn Tennis of Indonesian Tennis Association –Pelti, Susan Soebakti as Tournament Director said that in the international tennis championship in Solo, the foreign tennis players have the same quality as the ranking of previous years. She said that the championship in Solo was to improve the ratings of tennis host as well as a warm-up event before the Asian Games 2018 in Jakarta and Palembang. The next Formula 2 race will take place in Budapest, Hungary on July 28-29 and continue to the Monza Italy Circuit a week later.

Indonesia athletic men’s athlete, Lalu Muhammad Zohri won the world title of 100- meter run for men's U-20 which was held in Tampere, Finland, Wednesday night (11/7) local time. The athlete from Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara in the written statement by General Manager of Indonesian Athletic Association –PB PASI received by Antara in Jakarta, Thursday, managed to cross the finish line with a time of 10.18 seconds. Lalu Muhammad Zohri defeated two American athletes, Anthony Schwartz and Eric Harrison who ranks second and third with a record time of 10.22 seconds respectively. The Lalu’s record simultaneously breaks the junior national record in his own name 10.25 seconds. The time record of 10.18 seconds was also close to a senior national record on behalf of Suryo Agung Wibowo 10.17 seconds. Lalu said that the achievement in U-20 Athletic World Championships or previously called the Junior World Championships is part of preparations for the Asian Games 2018 athletic competition in Jakarta.

According to the official statement of the Central Board of All Soft Tennis Association of Indonesia in Jakarta, Tuesday night, Hendri Susilo Pramono as a team manager when transiting in Singapore said that National Soft Tennis Indonesia Training Team won six gold medals, five silvers, and four bronzes in the 11th Soft Tennis German Open 2018 in Frankfurt, Germany on June 1-3. At the men's singles number, Prima Simpatiaji won one gold after winning the final of Indonesian representative facing his junior, Irtandi Hendrawan. While at the top of the women's sector, Dede Tari Kusrini defeat her compatriot, Dwi Rahayu Pitri. In the men's doubles final, duet Hemat Bakti Anugrah and Gusti Jayakusuma conquered senior pair Elbert Sie/Hendri Susilo Pramono. While women’s doubles Dede Tari Kusrini and Anadeleyda Kawengian seized gold after dismissing resistance Dwi Rahayu Pitri and Voni Darlina. The international tournament entitled The 11^th Soft Tennis German Open 2018 was followed by four countries, namely the host Germany, Poland, India, and Indonesia. After competing in Germany, ten athletes was heading straight to Thailand on Wednesday (6/6). Prima Simpatiaji and the others will be in Thailand until June 11 to follow the Pattaya Open. At the Inter-Asian Games four years ago in Incheon, South Korea, Indonesian soft tennis won one silver from the men's singles number on behalf of Edi Kusdaryanto and one bronze of the mixed doubles, pair of Prima Simpatiaji and Maya Rosa for the Indonesian contingent.

Indonesia 2018 Asian Para Games Organizing Committee (INAPGOC) held a welcome simulation of the arrival of athletes at Soekarno-Hatta Airport on  Tuesday (5/6). The preparation for the Asian Para Games 2018 which will take place on 6 October, keeps being maximized by INAPGOC. The simulation began from a briefing at the airport authority office and the manager of Angkasa Pura II in the airport office area. Andrianto Soedjarwo as Director of Arrival & Departure INAPGOC in official release, Wednesday (6/6) said that the simulation was also a monitor of the readiness in Test Event that will be held on June 27 to July 3 by using Terminal 2 and 3. The simulation was also used as good coordination with related agencies, such as PT Angkasa Pura II, Directorate of Customs and Excise, Airport Police Resort, Directorate General of Immigration, and Soekarno-Hatta Airport Authority. Asian Para Games 2018 will be held in October 2018 after the implementation of ASIAN GAMES 2018.

The results of the National Athletics Championship 2018 some time ago brought West Kalimantan athlete of women’s race walker, Sri Juliani to be elected to follow the 2018 Asian Games Jakarta-Palembang. Sri Juliani successfully exceeded the targeted Big Board of Athletic Union Throughout Indonesia -PB PASI time limit -55 minutes, but her achievement was 53 minutes. Trainer of West Kalimantan PASI, Adi Pani said that athletics becomes a measurable sport. So, the time limit becomes the benchmark measure of the athlete's ability. He added that the certainty of Sri Juliani’s winning was directly obtained by Adi Pani via telephone from PB PASI. Adi explained that Sri Juliani is currently undergoing preparation to face the 2018 Asian Games in Pontianak. Adi Pani did not comment much on the strength map of women’s race walking in Asian Games. However, he is quite optimistic that the opportunity remains open, especially if looked in history, long jump athlete Maria Londa who did preparations outside national training camp, was able to present medals for Indonesia.

Three female field tennis athletes of Indobatt Konga Task Force XXIII-L/Unifil (United Nations Interim Forces In Lebanon), promulgate Indonesia in international area on “Unifil Open Tennis Competition 2018” in South Lebanon, Sunday (27/5). The championship held annually was followed by several countries which are members of the Unifil Task Force such as Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, India, Italy, Sri Lanka, and Serbia.  The three female Indobatt athletes won several numbers in the five-day Unifil tennis competition (22-26/5) on tennis court of Republic of South Korea Battalion-Abbasid Lebanon. In this championship, the Indobatt tennis athletes competed under the name of Garuda Unifil 2018 Contingent. Competing under the hot sun, the Garuda Contingent athletes dominated some numbers. In the women’s single, Serka (K) Meylani came out as the first champion after defeating in the final her compatriot Serda (K) Neneng Meytriana. Meanwhile, Sertu (K) Indarti B. Lestari won the third place after defeating South Korean tennis player. In Unifil Open Tennis Competition 2018, Serka (K) Meylani R. was awarded "The Best Woman Player", with a slick appearance capable of winning multiple numbers in the Unifil Open Tennis Competition 2018.

Sean Gelael’s good results on feature races at Monaco Circuit, Monaco, Friday (25/5) brought his team, that is Pertamina Prema Theodore Racing to be in the fifth standing of Formula 2. Based on data collected by media from Formula 2 official page in Jakarta, Sunday (27/5) with an additional 18 points achieved by Sean Gelael, Prema team collected 75 points or equal to the Russian Times that was in fourth position. Team standings were still controlled by Carlin team who collected 144 points, while the second position was occupied by the ART Grand Prix team with 111 points, followed by DAMS team with 93 points. Sean in his official statement said, racing in Monaco was not easy. After winning fantastic second podium results in feature race, Pertamina Prema Theodore Racing team had to accept the fact of not getting points on sprint racing on Saturday (26/5). On third lap, Sean who started from seventh position lost a bit of control causing his car to touch the kerbs that made hovering and crashing into the lane boundary. The remainder of the race continued with many dramas and incidents. Until the race ended, it was recorded that 10 riders could not finish the race because of the incidents, including young racer guided by Mercedes F1 team, George Russell. Next F2 race will take place at Le Castellet circuit, France, June 22-24. One week later, the one level race under Formula 1 will take place at the Spielberg Circuit, Austria.

Indonesia men’s badminton team finally stopped at semifinal of Thomas Cup 2018 tournament after being defeated by China 3-1. China ensured the victory in the semi-final at Impact Arena, Bangkok, Thailand, Friday (25/5) night, after couple Li Junhui/Liu Yuchen defeat Indonesia men’s pair Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan 21-17, 18-21, 21-12. Thus, the Indonesian team could not achieve this year's championship target or even equalize the achievement as a finalist at the Thomas Cup two years ago. Nevertheless, Indonesian team could show tight resistance against China whose average player has a higher BWF rating. After losing the first party because Anthony Ginting failed to overcome Olympic champion 2016 Cheng Long, Indonesia could pursue through the victory of Kevin Sanjaya/Marcus Gideon over Liu Cheng/Zhang Nan. However, in third party, Jonathan Christie who had seized the first gym failed to overcome the resistance of China's world number three Shi Yuqi. Shi Yuqi put China ahead with victory 18-21, 21-12, 21-15. In fourth party, the experience and maturity of the pair Hendra/Ahsan expected to be able to balance  the second double of China’s number two finally ended up after recognizing the superiority of Chinese pair Li/Liu in 3 sets. The China Thomas team finally won the Thomas Cup after defeating Japan in the final session.  

Indonesia BMX cyclist, Rio Akbar became Asian champion after winning Asian BMX Championship 2018 held in Chai Nat, Thailand. Rio Akbar who was prepared for the Asian Games 2018 Jakarta-Palembang, defeated host cyclist, Sitthicok Kaewsrikhao and Japanese cyclist, Taichi Ikegami, who finished on second and third place respectively. Indonesia BMX national team coach, Dadang Haries Purnomo, in Banyuwangi, Sunday (28/5) admitted the success was a proof of the results of training camp in France, as well as the experience gained in following the world championships in the Netherlands and Belgium. Dadang added that the result of Asian Championship in Thailand would become the motivation for Indonesia to face the Asian Games 2018 Jakarta-Palembang to be held on August 18. In Asian BMX 2018, Indonesia sent three male elite cyclists, namely Rio Akbar, I Gusti Bagus Saputra, and Tony Syarifudin. However, only Rio and Bagus could enter the final round in the championship.

Jakarta Team with nickname ‘the Kemayoran Tiger’, Persija Jakarta failed to overcome Home United with score 1-3 in live dead match AFC Cup at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Senayan in Jakarta on Tuesday night (15/5). In first match, Coach Teco’s team tried to hit the midfield and backfield, even though Mohammad Faizal retained Ismed Sofyan’s attack. Good fortune this time was in Marko Simic who got a penalty kick on the 9th minute at once Persija winning 1-0 over Singapore team Home United FC that used black and white costume. The excellence of Jakarta and the surrounding community's favorite team was beyond expectation, thwarted by player number 10 Home United FC, Syahrir Ishak who at once equalized to be 1-1. Being thirsty for scoring in Home United player who coached by Aidil Sharin Sahak was shown when Sharir was able to present a second goal for his team with score 2-1. Toward the final minutes, there was a crisis in goalpost of Muhammad Rizky, so the rear pillar Persija conceded. The goal was scored by Song Uiyong; this changed the situation to 3-1. One minute later, there were two red cards from referee Turki Mohammed from Saudi Arabia to Jaimerson Da Silva Xavier and the substitute player, Daryono reduced the power on this orange team. With this defeat, Persija failed to the semifinal AFC Cup, while Home United already won twice in the same event. After the match, Coach Teco said, his team had not been lucky, and the referee was not fair.

Indonesia Rock Climbing is wary of competition from three teams in the 2018 Asian Games competition to be held in Palembang in August. This was stated by Secretary General of Indonesian Rock Climbing Federation (IRCF), Sapto Hardiono in welcoming national rock climbing athletes at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Cengkareng, Tangerang on Tuesday. However, Sapto said that Indonesian rock climbing team only needs to maintain the physical condition of its athletes besides increasing the speed of climbing during the competition. The team, according to Sapto, had evaluated the performance of the athletes after following three series of Rock Climbing World Cup in Russia and China on April 21 up to May 13. He added that the IRCF trainers asked the athletes not to force themselves when practicing in order to focus on the competition. The team plans to hold an exercise in Palembang after the Lebaran holiday following the adjustment to the conditions of the Asian Games competition arena. Previously, gold medalist rock-climbing athlete in the World Cup series in Chongqing, China, Aries Susanti Rahayu said that the strength of the Indonesian team is equivalent to teams from other countries in Rock Climbing World Cup series in Russia and China. For competition in the Asian Games, heavy rivalry comes from China, Iran and Kazakhstan, while for world championship, there are Russia, France, and many others. The Indonesia Rock Climbing Team won one gold medal, three silver medals, and three bronze medals in three series of Rock Climbing World Cup 2018 in Russia and China. In Rock Climbing World Cup in Moscow, Russia on April 21-22, Red-White team won bronze medal on behalf of Veddriq Leonardo on the speed world record. Then, in World Cup in Chongqing, China on May 5-7, Indonesian team won one gold medal by Aries Susanti Rahayu, one silver medal by Aspar Jaelolo, and one bronze medal by Puji Lestari. Last, in World Cup in Tai’an, China on May 12-13, Indonesian team won two silver medals and one bronze medal. The silvers presented by Sabri and Agustina Sari, while the bronze was presented by Aries Susanti Rahayu.

Ahead of the  Asian Games 2018, Indonesia will get another chance to hold MXGP 2018 motocross world championship in Semarang (July 7-8) and Pangkal Pinang (June 30-July 1). This event, according to Minister of Youth and Sports Imam Nahrawi, is very appropriate to promote the Asian Games and Asian Para Games to the world. Minister of Youth and Sports, Imam Nahrawi said that Indonesia has opportunity twice in organizing MXGP 2018 in one year. This is a history as well as an opportunity for national crossers to prove their ability and promote tourism potential, especially in Bangka Belitung and Semarang. It is also as a good start of the Asian Games and Asian Para Games 2018. Minister Imam Nahrawi  at press meeting at Ministry of Youth and Sports media center, Senayan in Jakarta on Monday (14/5) said that the government would keep supporting and coordinating with other stakeholders so that the MXGP opportunity becomes sport tourism and attract foreign tourists to come to Indonesia. Head of the Central Board of the Association of Motor Indonesia, Sadikin Aksa said that Indonesia was believed to be one of two countries with Italy that received two series of MXGP 2018 championship. The national crossers for MXGP 2018 currently have not been able to move to world class. They still have to follow the race in the European series. Indonesia has eight crossers for MXGP wildcard class, namely four in MX1 and four in MX2. While for 12 container 40 feet trip, the competitor will depart from Pangkal Pinang to Semarang through road trip. It is more efficient than using sea-lanes.  

Head of Department of Youth and Sports in Riau, Doni Aprialdi stated that the fire-torch of Asian Games 2018 will stop on August 1-2 in Riau to parade around the city of Pekanbaru and Siak. Riau is the 27th lane where the Asian Games torch fire passes after starting on July 15 in Delhi, India and on the 18^th lane into the province of Indonesia. Doni said in Pekanbaru on Wednesday that the Asian Games 2018 torch will travel around Indonesia, including Riau Province and a number of countries. To arrive in Pekanbaru on August 1^st, the torch will head to Siak regency. Then, on August 2^nd, the torch will be paraded around Pekanbaru for 2-3 hours, then heading to West Sumatra. According to Doni, Siak as one of Fire Torch Tour Relay destinations aims to develop tourism in Indonesia. He invited all people of Riau to welcome and enliven the Asian Games torch upon arrival in Riau Province. He added that the torch will be an unforgettable history for Riau. Thus, the people are expected to greet the Asian Games enthusiastically. The Torch Tour Relay Asian Games 2018 involves 10 athletes from Riau to parade, while Riau athletes who will involve in the Asian Games 2018 are 20 people.