- Dok. PB PRSI
VIVA – The Chairman of the Executive Board of All-Indonesian Swimming Association or locally known as PB PRSI, Anindya Novyan Bakrie gives motivation to Indonesian swimming athletes who will compete in the Hanoi Vietnam SEA Games which will officially take place on May 12 to May 23, 2022.
Anindya said that all of the swimming athletes are Indonesian heroes.
"So, for the swimmers, you are all heroes, not only fighting for Indonesia on the battlefield, but also heroes who will bring Indonesia's good name," said Anindya.
The swimming team consisting of 17 athletes was commanded by Australian coach Michael Piper and Chief Coach Albert Sutanto. They will start the struggle at the 31st edition of the biggest sporting event in Southeast Asia on May 14 to May 19, 2022 at My Dinh Water Sports Stadium.
From 40 swimming numbers contested, Indonesia followed 36 of them. The planning for the team's departure is divided into two groups, namely on May 11 and May 12, 2022.
Anindya Bakrie also said that he was grateful because despite the COVID-19, Indonesia was able to form a strong team and take part in the competition in Hanoi. He also expressed his gratitude to the government for making the swimming sport as a part of the National Designer of Sports.
"In the Philippines, we made history when waterpolo won a gold medal overcoming the dominance of other countries. This time, we hope to get more gold and other medals. So, the goal is to make sure that the Red and White flag is flying and the anthem Indonesia Raya is playing," Anin added.
Anindya also explained that the G20 of the world's major countries is a sign of Indonesia becoming a world leader.
Previously, coach Albert said Indonesia had the potential to be able to bring home six to seven gold medals.
"The greatest potential is in the four events, namely the 50-meter and 200-meter backstroke, and the 400-meter men's and women's medley," he said.
In the men's 50-meter backstroke, There is I Gede Siman Sudartawa who won the gold medal at the previous SEA Games in the Philippines in 2019.
At that time, Siman became the only Indonesia's swimmer who contributed gold after recording a time of 25.12 seconds. He beat Singapore's Quah Zheng Wen (25.65 seconds) and Vietnam's Paul Le Nguyen who finished third with 25.73 seconds.
During the men's 200m backstroke, Albert said that there is Farrel Armandio Tangkas. Then in the 400-meter men's medley there was the name Aflah Fadlan Prawira and for the women, Azzahra Permatahani became a mainstay.
At the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, the swimming team collected one gold medal, six silver medals, and seven bronze medals.
Here are the Indonesian swimming team for the Vietnam SEA Games:
Coaching Team: Wisnu Wardhana (Manager), Albert Sutanto (Head Coach), Dony B. Utomo, Marifa Herman Yus, Hendry Sutanto, Michael Piper (Australia)
Male: Aflah Fadlan Prawira (captain), Glen Victor Sutanto, I Gede Siman Sudartawa, Gagarin Nathaniel Yus, Farrel Armandio Tangkas, Joe Aditya Kurniawan, Erick Ahmad Fathoni, Pande Made Iron Digjaya,
Female: Patricia Yosita (captain), Ressa Kania Dewi, Azzahra Permatahani, A.A. Kania Ratih's wife, A.A. Vannesae Evato, Nurul Fajar, Flairene Chandrea, Angel Gabriele Yus, Masniari Wolf.
