Indonesia Prioritizes Personal Bests as Swimmers Prepare for Asian Games

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia is prioritizing individual performance and national-record improvements as 14 swimmers continue preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with athletes training at their respective clubs under the national coaching program.

This approach is considered effective because most swimming events are individual, although the federation acknowledges that separate training reduces opportunities to build team spirit ahead of the continental event.

Secretary General of the Indonesian Aquatics Association (Akuatik Indonesia) Ali said the arrangement allows athletes to maintain effective training while improving efficiency in the national training program.

“The program from the head coach continues to be implemented. It is somewhat disruptive because they do not train together, but for swimming, joint training is not really necessary because each individual has their own event,” he said at the Youth and Sport Ministry office on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

However, Ali acknowledged that training separately has reduced the sense of togetherness among the swimmers. “What may be lacking is the togetherness to fight,” he added.

The swimmers are expected to reunite in Jakarta before departing for Japan. They previously gathered in Jakarta several days ago during a visit by the Indonesia Team Chef de Mission, with Ali saying their progress appeared promising.

Akuatik Indonesia has selected 14 swimmers, comprising nine men and five women. Experienced swimmers such as I Gede Siman Sudartawa, Masniari Wolf, Farrel Armandio Tangkas, Joe Aditya Wijaya Kurniawan, and Flairene Candrea Wonomiharjo will compete alongside younger swimmers.

The association has appointed four coaches: Albert Christiadi Sutanto, Arif Purbo Warsono, Billy Arfianto, and Hendry Suryaatmadja Sutanto.

Unlike some other Indonesian sports, Akuatik Indonesia has not set a medal target for the swimmers. Instead, athletes have been asked to deliver their best performances, with breaking national records set as a minimum benchmark. “This time, we are not giving the athletes a target. The main point is that we ask them to do their best and at least break the national record,” Ali said.

“With that spirit, we hope there will be a surprise at the 2026 Asian Games,” he continued.

The swimming competition at the 2026 Asian Games is scheduled for September 20-25 at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Tokyo. ***