RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian para chess athlete Aisah Wijayanti Putri Brahmana delivered a remarkable performance at the ASEAN Para Games (APG) 2025 in Thailand, winning five medals despite the emotional challenge of leaving behind her five-month-old baby during training camp and competition.

Putri described her achievement as the result of a major personal sacrifice for the nation, as she had to entrust her newborn, born in August 2025, to her parents while she prepared for the Games.

“During training camp I had to leave my child with my parents. It was heartbreaking to be away from a newborn, but for Indonesia I had to fight,” she said in Nakhon Ratchasima on Monday, January 26, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The decision was far from easy, but Putri chose to stay focused on representing Indonesia at Southeast Asia’s largest multi-sport event for athletes with disabilities. “I kept monitoring my child’s condition through phone calls and video calls,” she added.

Her dedication paid off. Putri secured three gold, one silver, and one bronze medals, surpassing her personal target of two gold medals. “At first it was difficult to overcome opponents in para chess. I struggled to win gold, but through perseverance I managed to claim victories in the rapid and blitz events,” she explained.

Indonesian para chess coach Tedy Wiharto acknowledged the increasingly fierce competition at APG 2025, particularly from Vietnam and the Philippines. He praised the athletes for maintaining focus under pressure and urged them to continue consistent training ahead of upcoming individual championships.

At the 13th edition of the Games, Indonesia’s para chess team collected a total of nine gold, 22 silver, and seven bronze medals. Putri stood out as one of the biggest contributors, performing consistently across multiple events.

The Indonesian contingent is scheduled to return home on Tuesday, January 27, via a charter flight from Bangkok to Adi Soemarmo Airport in Boyolali, Central Java. ***