CHAIRMAN of the Central Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI) Marciano Norman is optimistic that weightlifting can be relied on to win two gold medals at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, United States (US).
Marciano expressed this when giving a speech at the opening of the national deliberation of the Executive Board of the Indonesian Weightlifting Association (PB PABSI), Tuesday (5/11) in Jakarta.
“It doesn’t seem wrong if at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics we hope for two gold medals,” said Marciano, quoted from the official Central KONI website, Wednesday (6/11).
The Indonesian weightlifting sport has made history when it presented athlete Rizki Juniansyah with a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Marciano also expressed his high appreciation to the General Chairperson of PB PABSI and his staff who have worked hard to present achievements that make Indonesia proud.
He hopes that the achievements achieved will not only be repeated but will be improved again at the 2028 Olympics.
“Weightlifting will be Indonesia’s mainstay at the upcoming Olympics,” he said.
Furthermore, Marciano said, PB PASBI’s success was inseparable from the organizational transformation when weightlifting had become independent from before which was still combined with weightlifting and bodybuilding in one parent organization.
After these sports became independent, he said, the achievements of weightlifting skyrocketed.
Marciano also appreciated the efforts of PB, PABSI, which is supported by PT Pupuk Indonesia, to hold regular competitions at youth, junior and senior levels to produce new talents. (Ant/Z-1)
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**Interview with Marciano Norman, Chairman of KONI**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Mr. Norman! Thank you for joining us today. Given your recent comments about the potential for weightlifting to win two gold medals at the 2028 Olympics, can you share what specifically gives you this confidence?
**Marciano Norman:** Thank you for having me! My optimism stems from several factors. First, we’ve seen significant improvement in our athletes’ training and performance at both national and international levels. The records broken during the recent Papua PON are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our weightlifters.
**Interviewer:** Yes, the success at the Papua PON was impressive, with 60 records broken despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. How do you believe this experience will influence the athletes’ preparations for the Olympics?
**Marciano Norman:** The Papua PON have shown our athletes how to compete under pressure. They learned to adapt to challenging situations, which will serve them well in the rigors of Olympic competition. This experience builds resilience, and with targeted training and support, we’re in a strong position heading into Los Angeles.
**Interviewer:** What kind of support do you envision is necessary for our weightlifting athletes ahead of the Olympics?
**Marciano Norman:** We need to provide comprehensive training programs that include access to high-level coaching, resources for mental conditioning, and world-class facilities. Additionally, we must support our athletes’ nutrition and recovery needs to ensure they can perform at their peak.
**Interviewer:** That sounds like a solid plan. With the focus on weightlifting, do you anticipate any particular competitors that might challenge our athletes in Los Angeles?
**Marciano Norman:** Certainly, there will always be strong competitors from countries with established weightlifting traditions. However, our athletes are not only training hard but also studying potential rivals, which gives them a strategic edge. Our goal is to prepare them to handle any competition they face.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Mr. Norman. It sounds like KONI is committed to ensuring our athletes have the best chance for success in 2028.
**Marciano Norman:** Thank you! We’re excited about the future and believe that with support and determination, our weightlifters can bring home those gold medals.
