Jakarta athletes again contributed their first gold medal at PON XXI 2024, which took place at Gampong Jawa Beach, Banda Aceh, on Thursday (9/12).

We have to be optimistic

Afriza Achmad Bagaskara won gold in the Techno 293 event. In addition to gold, Jakarta added two bronze medals through Adesta Raya Ramdhany in the IQ Foil event and Rasya Aditya Wardana in the ILC4 event.

Jakarta's Windsurfing Coach, Ujang Supriyatna, said preparations for PON XXI had been underway since the Papua PON 2021 ended. Athlete coaching has been conducted continuously since Papua PON 2021 and until now.

"Our preparation started as soon as Papua PON finished and continues until now. We can't immediately train and teach children to play windsurfing, it takes time. From Papua PON 2021, younger athletes were introduced through their older siblings who had competed earlier," he expressed.

For the next competition, Jakarta still has three athletes who will compete next Saturday in the same number, for the women's category.

"We have to be optimistic. Indeed, our target was only one gold, and that has been achieved. But that doesn't mean we don't try harder, we will give our best to get gold," he explained.

Jakarta Youth and Sports Agency Head, Andri Yansyah said Jakarta continues to show proud achievements at PON XXI Aceh - North Sumatra 2024.

"We remain optimistic to grab more medals in the remaining matches. Support and motivation for the athletes are expected to bring Jakarta to achieve the best results in this event," he closed.