RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian diving federation is pressing ahead with athlete preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi–Nagoya, even as the government has yet to confirm the country’s participation in the discipline.

Deputy Chair of the Technical Commission for Diving at Akuatik Indonesia, Ronaldy Herbintoro, said training programs will continue regardless of official decisions.

“Our principle is clear: whether or not there is a competition, athletes must stay ready. Training cannot stop, otherwise performance will decline,” he stated in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Among those projected for the squad are Gladies Lariesa Garina Haga Kore and Linar Betiliana, who won bronze in women’s synchronized diving at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.

Ronaldy noted that results from the ongoing National Aquatics Championship (Kejurnas) at Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Stadium will serve as a benchmark for mapping talent. Rankings from the event will feed into a long list of athletes to be monitored for international assignments, including the Asian Games.

He acknowledged the challenge of competing against Asia’s diving powerhouses - China, Japan, and Korea. “Reaching the podium is not easy, but a top‑six finish remains within reach,” he said.

Ronaldy stressed that consistent exposure to international competition is vital for building mental strength. “Technically and physically we can compete, but mental toughness must be shaped through matches. The more often athletes compete abroad, the more mature they become,” he explained.

The National Championship, he added, is also an important platform to assess progress and identify new talent for the national team. With sustained preparation, Indonesia hopes to raise its competitiveness in Asia, including at the 2026 Asian Games.

For context, at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Indonesia fielded one diver - Gladies Lariesa - who finished 12th in the women’s 1‑meter springboard and eighth in the 3‑meter springboard. ***