Indonesian athlete wins gold medal in SEA Games

Bandung, The Gulf Observer: West Java athlete Rashif Amila Yaqin expressed his gratitude over winning the first gold medal for the Indonesian contingent in the men’s individual aquathlon at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia on Saturday.

“I am happy and touched to win gold for Indonesia and my first gold at the SEA Games, happy and proud,” Yaqin said when contacted from here on Saturday.

He won the gold after beating 17 other Southeast Asian athletes.

The men’s aquathlon started at 7:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, while the women’s individual aquathlon started earlier at 6:30 a.m. local time, he said.

After becoming the fastest athlete to cross the finish line and win a medal, he immediately contacted his parents. He said that his parents were also grateful that their son could contribute the first gold to the country.

“My parents told me that there is still a long way to go,” he added.

An aquathlon is one part of a triathlon, which is a combination of running, swimming, and cycling competitions; however, an aquathlon or duathlon only comprises running and swimming.

He said that he was originally a swimmer. However, he switched to triathlons in 2022.

“I started swimming lessons around fourth grade. My last competition at the PON (National Sports Week) in Papua was swimming; Alhamdulillah (Thank God), at that time, I got two bronzes in two branches,” Yaqin, who was born in Bandung in 2002, informed.

After switching to triathlons, he joined centralized training (Pelatnas) from February 2023 to prepare for the SEA Games.

“We totally followed the program that was provided by the coach, and according to each need,” Yaqin said.

He further said he is hoping to win gold again in the triathlon at the SEA Games.