Para-athlete Saptoyogo Purnomo brought home Indonesia’s first medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, securing a silver in the men’s T37 100-meter event on Saturday, Western Indonesian Standard Time.
The Indonesian Paralympics Committee (NPC) in Jakarta initially aimed for Saptoyogo to win a bronze, hoping to replicate his success from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
In the qualifying round, Saptoyogo placed third with a time of 11.35 seconds, behind Brazilian para-sprinters Edson Cavalcante Pinheiro and Ricardo Gomes de Mendonca, who clocked 11.33 and 11.07 seconds, respectively.
His third-place finish was enough to advance him to the finals, where he improved his time to 11.26 seconds, earning the silver medal.
In addition to winning silver, Saptoyogo broke the Asian record of 11.28 seconds, which he previously set at the 2022 Asian Para Games, where he also won gold.
“I was initially discouraged when I realized I’d be competing against new opponents with unknown times. But I was determined to give my best and earn a medal,” Saptoyogo shared.
He also expressed concern about the rain at Stade de France, the event’s venue, which he feared would make the air colder and affect his muscle performance.
“I didn’t expect to break the record because of the rain.
Cold conditions can affect muscle function, so my focus was just on winning a medal,” he explained.
Purwo Adi Sanyoto, the Indonesian para-athletics coach, praised Saptoyogo for his determination, discipline, and mental toughness.
“Saptoyogo had a quicker reaction and start than his competitors, which allowed him to maintain his speed until the finish line,” Sanyoto said.
Saptoyogo’s Paralympic journey isn’t over yet, as he will next compete in the men’s T37 200-meter event.
This remarkable achievement not only highlights Saptoyogo’s individual excellence but also serves as a source of inspiration for other Indonesian athletes. It underscores the potential of Indonesian para-athletes on the global stage and raises hopes for more victories in the upcoming events at the 2024 Paralympics.
