VOINews, Jakarta: Indonesian para-athlete Saptoyogo Purnomo has achieved a remarkable feat by winning the silver medal in the men's 100 meters T37 classification at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Clocking in at 11.26 seconds in the final on Saturday, Saptoyogo not only surpassed expectations but also set a new Asian record.
Initially, Saptoyogo was only expected to secure a bronze medal, similar to his achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. However, his performance in Paris has exceeded this target, showcasing his determination and exceptional athletic ability. The Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) had set the bronze medal as his goal, but Saptoyogo’s silver win reflects his relentless pursuit of excellence.
During the qualification round, Saptoyogo finished third with a time of 11.35 seconds, trailing behind two Brazilian athletes, Ricardo Gomes de Mendonca, who clocked 11.07 seconds, and Edson Cavalcante Pinheiro, who finished with 11.33 seconds. Despite this, Saptoyogo's remarkable improvement in the final allowed him to close the gap and secure the silver.
In the final, Saptoyogo improved his time to 11.26 seconds, while Gomes maintained his time of 11.07 seconds, clinching the gold. Saptoyogo's silver-medal-winning time also broke his own Asian record of 11.28 seconds, set during the 2022 Asian Para Games where he won gold.
Reflecting on his achievement, Saptoyogo admitted that he faced challenges, particularly from new competitors whose best times were unknown to him. "I was initially down because there were new competitors, and I didn’t know their best times, but I strengthened my resolve to do my best to win this medal," he said. The rain at the Stade de France also worried him, as it could have affected his muscle performance due to the cold weather.
"I didn't expect to break my personal record because of the rain. Rain can limit performance, especially in the legs or arms, so I was just optimistic about winning a medal," Saptoyogo added.
Saptoyogo’s coach, Purwo Adi Sanyoto, praised his athlete’s achievement. "We initially targeted a bronze medal in para-athletics, but Alhamdulillah, today Saptoyogo secured a silver medal and broke the Asian record he previously set at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou," said Sanyoto.
He highlighted Saptoyogo’s spirit, training discipline, fighting power, and exceptional competition mentality as key factors in his success. "Saptoyogo has a great reaction time and start compared to his competitors, making it easier for him to maintain speed toward the finish," he noted.
Saptoyogo's journey at the Paralympics is not over yet, as he is set to compete in the 200 meters T37 classification. The nation will be eagerly watching as he continues to represent Indonesia on the global stage./ANTARA/VOI
