Indonesian SURFER Rio Waida apologized for not being successful at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He promised to try harder for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Rio Waida’s steps were stopped at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In the first round of surfing held in Teahupoo, Tahiti, Rio was in third place with a total of 5.74 points. He was behind Japanese surfers, Reo Inaba and Leonardo Fioravanti.
In the second round, Rio had to admit the luck of Jordy Smith from South Africa. The less than supportive wave conditions made Rio have to wait for the big waves to come even though they never came. Meanwhile, his opponent chose to take the small waves which eventually became the key to victory over Rio.
“I feel it hurts and I also feel like I’m stiff. Honestly, I can’t feel anything. I don’t know if I should be sad, angry or happy,” Rio said as reported by NOC Indonesia, Tuesday (30/7).
“I apologize to everyone. A lot of attention and energy has been put into the last three years to achieve my Olympic dream and it didn’t go as planned. I feel like I couldn’t give my best here. But my goal was always to be at the Olympics,” he added.
According to him, he has gone through many things during the 2024 Paris Olympics. There are also many things that are valuable lessons for the next target.
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Rio is grateful for the support of all parties and is determined to work harder to reach the 2028 Olympics.
“The next destination is Los Angeles, but I will discuss it first with the people around me. I will not stop competing and surfing, this is the best thing I will always do,” he said.
“I will continue to work hard and move forward. I learned to continue to work hard. This defeat will not be forgotten and will be stored well for me,” added Rio. (Dhk)
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