The 2023 SEA Games: Weightlifter Rahmat Erwin Break Three Records

VIVA – An Indonesian weightlifter Rahmat Erwin Abdullah impressed in the men's 81kg weightlifting class at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games by winning gold and breaking three records at this Southeast Asia's biggest sporting event. 

Rahmat Erwin competed with three other lifters namely Yin Sokleng (Cambodia), Thi Ha Aung (Myanmar), and Chatuphum Chinnawong (Thailand) at the Olympic Complex: Taekwondo Hall, Phnom Penh, on Monday. 

Rahmat Erwin in the snatch force started his performance last. 

The first force was at 150kg to pass the closest competitor from Thailand Chatuphum Chinnawong who first lifted 140kg. Then, Rahmat Erwin tried to respond calmly. 

He easily lifted the first force. This was then reciprocated by the Thai lifter who did the force with the same weight. It didn't matter to Erwin who then took the force to 158kg. 

In fact, this second snatch force also broke the SEA Games record owned by Indonesian lifter Rizki Juniansyah with 157kg when he appeared at the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games. 

Rahmat Erwin ensured that he was the best for the snatch force after Chinnawong failed to complete the third force with the same weight as Erwin.

After 15 minutes, Rahmat Erwin again started the action in last place. 

In the first class, he had to catch up with the other participants, including closest competitors Aung and Chinnawong competing in the clean and jerk. 

Aung closed with a best of 165kg. Then Chinnawong in the third batch became the best at 175kg. 

After that, it was Erwin's turn, who immediately registered the force at 190kg. He was smooth and the gold medal was surely in his hand.  

Erwin did not miss the opportunity with the remaining force. He also increased the force to 201kg to be able to break the SEA Games record with 200kg owned by Thailand lifter Suepsuan Natthawut at the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games. 

Rahmat Erwin completed the 201kg force while successfully recording his name as the best lifter for the clean and jerk force in the 81kg class at the biggest sports party in Southeast Asia. 

The snatch was 158kg and clean and jerk 201kg, so the total force of 359kg surpassed Suepsuan Natthawut's SEA Games record at the 2021 SEA Games with 355kg. 

After the match, Rahmat Erwin admitted that he had no problems when lifting weights to break the record because he moved up in class, he felt lighter when lifting weights. 

"Because my weight has increased, it's easier to lift weights in this class (81kg)," Rahmat Erwin said. 

In addition, Rahmat Erwin also explained the reason why he did not do the third batch of snatch and clean and jerk. "For the next championships, we are used to breaking records (SEA Games)," he said. 

Chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia) Raja Sapta Oktohari, said that Rahmat Erwin's success in winning gold and breaking records at the 2023 SEA Games was not the main goal. 

"Erwin must focus on the 2024 Paris Olympics. We will communicate with PABSI and all stakeholders so that Erwin can potentially get a gold medal in Paris 2024," Oktohari informed.