INDONESIAN para-swimmer, Syuci Indriani could not hide her joy, after successfully meeting the target to enter the final of the 100-meter butterfly S14 classification at the 2024 Paralympics.
Although she ultimately failed to win a medal, her success in making it to the final was Syuci’s answer to her hard work during training in Solo. She became one of three Indonesian para-swimmers who qualified for the 2024 Paralympics.
The bronze medalist at the 2022 Asian Para Games was burdened with the Kemenpora target of entering the final. As a result, the female swimmer from Riau was ranked fourth in heat 1 in the qualifying round at the Paris la Defense Arena, Paris, Thursday (29/8) afternoon WIB.
The para-swimmer from Belibis Swimming Club, Pekanbaru recorded a time of 1 minute 09.71 seconds. This record has not surpassed the personal best time recorded at 1 minute 09.66 seconds when the eighth fastest overall in the qualifying round.
“Alhamdulillah, I am very grateful to be able to complete the 100-meter butterfly competition by entering the final. I am grateful that I can meet the target. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me, friends, family and the Indonesian people,” said Syuci Indriani, Friday morning WIB after competing.
She admitted that she felt protected by the goddess of fortune when the participants in heat 2 could not record a better time. Syuci also shed tears when she found out she could qualify for the final round even though she ultimately failed to win a medal.
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“Before this match, I was still ranked 14th (in the world). I didn’t expect to be able to jump to eighth place, so I’m grateful,” said the woman who is familiarly called Uci.
What is clear is that Syuci Indriani’s participation in the 2024 Paralympics is due to a special motivation, namely the determination to provide achievements that she failed to achieve when she took part in the 2020 Paralympics.
“This motivation came from friends at NPC Indonesia, family of course, my father who is fighting his illness in Riau. That became motivation, proving that Suci could enter the final,” said Syuci Indriani.
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In the final match which took place at 18:42 Paris time or 23:42 WIB, Syuci Indriani had to be satisfied with being in the last position with a time of 1 minute 10.41 seconds. The gold medal was won by Poppy Maskill, from Great Britain who created a new world record in the 100-meter butterfly S14.
Indonesian Para Swimming Coach, Agni Herarta, appreciated Syuci Indriani’s success in meeting the target of qualifying for the final at the 2024 Paralympics. “Although the time for the final match was slightly delayed, we are still grateful that we were able to meet the target from the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” said Agni Herarta.
Indonesian Para Swimming still has two representatives at the 2024 Paralympics. Maulana Rifky Yavianda will compete in the 100-meter backstroke S12 and 100-meter freestyle S12, and Jendi Pangabean will compete in the 100-meter backstroke S9. (N-2)
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