RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s para powerlifting team delivered a strong performance at the World Para Powerlifting Asia-Oceania Open Championship 2026 in Bangkok, collecting 25 medals and boosting their chances of qualifying for the Asian Para Games in Nagoya later this year.

Head coach Coni Ruswanta said the results put all 12 athletes on track to meet qualification targets. “God willing, based on our calculations, all athletes from this championship can qualify for the Asian Para Games in Nagoya as planned,” he noted in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

The medal haul from April 7–12 included six gold, four silver, and 15 bronze, placing Indonesia 10th overall. Uzbekistan dominated the standings with 74 gold, 33 silver, and 18 bronze. Coni praised the athletes’ achievements, emphasizing that the event was part of the qualification pathway for Nagoya.

Among the standout performances was Abdul Hadi, who stunned the competition in the men’s 49kg category by lifting 179 kilograms to secure two gold medals -- best lift elite open and best lift Asia. He outperformed Vietnam’s Le Van Cong (163kg) and Kazakhstan’s Yerbolat Karibay (157kg).

Indonesia’s youngest competitor, Delima Yunia Susanti, also made headlines by lifting 93 kilograms in the women’s 79kg rookie category. Her achievement earned four gold medals and a world record, topping both rookie open and rookie Asia categories in best lift and total lift.

Coni said the championship provided valuable insight into the competitive landscape ahead of the Asian Para Games in October, noting that Uzbekistan and China remain formidable rivals. With five months left, training programs will be intensified to maximize medal prospects.

“We are focusing on preparing the athletes to qualify for Nagoya, and our next target is medals. We also aim for four athletes to qualify for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics by reaching the world’s top nine ranking,” he explained.

He added that while technical execution is strong, newer athletes are still adjusting to higher competition levels. “Alhamdulillah, now they can compete in higher classes compared to the ASEAN Para Games,” Coni concluded. ***