Asian Para Games: Indonesia Wins First Gold by Saptoyogo Purnomo
- Kemenpora.go.id
Hangzhou – The Indonesian runner Saptoyogo Purnomo won the first gold medal for Indonesia at the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, on Monday.
He successfully appeared as the winner in the men's 400-meter T37 race with a record of 54.80 seconds, 1.83 seconds ahead of Apisit Taprom (Thailand) and 2.75 seconds ahead of Thamer Ahmed Alzahrani (Saudi Arabia).
Purnomo's success in winning the 400m T37 gold medal was a surprise.
The reason is, he was relied upon to win gold in the men's 100m and 200m T37 specialist numbers. However, because of his persistent struggle to fight for a gold medal for Indonesia, Purnomo performed outstandingly in the 400m.
"Purnomo's success in winning the gold medal in the 400 meters paved the way for Indonesia to win the gold medal after Suparni, who we expected to win the shot put gold, was only able to win silver. This is the gold medal we have been waiting for," the Deputy Secretary General of NPC Indonesia, Rima Ferdianto said.
"Initially we targeted Purnomo to win gold medals in his mainstay numbers, the 100 and 200 meters. However, Purnomo appeared never to give up so he was able to maintain the consistency of his running speed both on the straight track and in the corners,"
Purnomo will now prepare himself to compete in the men's 100 and 200 meters which will be contested on Tuesday.