Indonesia's Eko Yuli Irawan Eyes Sixth Asian Games, Two Decades of Lifting Glory

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – For Indonesian weightlifting icon Eko Yuli Irawan, the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026 will mark a remarkable milestone: his sixth appearance at the continent’s biggest sporting stage, spanning two decades since his debut as a teenager in Doha 2006.

Now 37, Eko is slated to compete in the men’s 65kg category, continuing a career that has seen him rise from a sixth‑place finish in his debut to becoming one of Indonesia’s most decorated lifters.

Quoting Antara, his journey includes bronze medals in Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014, before reaching the pinnacle with a gold medal on home soil at Jakarta–Palembang Asian Games 2018.

That medal streak ended in Hangzhou 2022, where he failed to register a total lift in the 67kg class. Aichi–Nagoya, therefore, offers a chance at redemption and the pursuit of a fourth Asian Games medal.

Eko is part of a strong Indonesian squad featuring Ricko Saputra (60kg), Rahmat Erwin Abdullah (75kg), and Rizki Juniansyah (85kg) on the men’s side, alongside Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana (49kg), Juliana Klarisa (53kg), Natasya Beteyob (61kg), and Indah Afriza (69kg) in the women’s division.

If he takes the stage in Japan, Eko’s Asian Games journey will stretch across six editions: Doha 2006, Guangzhou 2010, Incheon 2014, Jakarta-Palembang 2018, Hangzhou 2022, and now Aichi-Nagoya 2026; a testament to his longevity, resilience, and enduring pursuit of excellence. ***