Saptoyogo Purnomo clinches Indonesia’s first athletics gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games

HANGZHOU, CHINA: Indonesia celebrates victory in athletics at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, as Saptoyogo Purnomo emerged as the country’s first gold medalist in the event on Monday (23 Oct).

Saptoyogo Purnomo demonstrated his remarkable prowess in the 400-meter T37 race by clocking an impressive time of 54.80 seconds, securing the top spot on the podium.

Saptoyogo competitor, Apisit Taprom from Thailand lagged behind by 1.83 seconds, earning himself the silver medal, while Thamer Ahmed Alzahrani from Saudi Arabia finished 2.75 seconds later to claim the bronze.

Saptoyogo’s achievement this time also extends his streak of achievements after he secured a ticket to the 2024 Paralympics in Paris, France.

He previously secured a silver medal in the men’s 100m T37 class at the 2023 Para-Athletics World Championships in Paris, last July.

The T37 category is reserved for athletes with moderate movement and coordination impairments on one side of their bodies typically characterized by moderate hypertonia, ataxia, or athetosis.

These athletes may display minimal impairment on their other side but exhibit exceptional functional running capabilities, marked by asymmetrical arm movements and occasional trunk asymmetry.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports, represented by their official X account KEMENPORA_RI, conveyed their heartfelt congratulations to Saptoyogo for his remarkable feat, which earned Indonesia its first gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

🥇🇮🇩 EMAS PERTAMA UNTUK INDONESIA!!

Saptoyogo Purnomo berhasil mempersembahkan medali emas pertama bagi Indonesia dari cabang olahraga Para Athletics, melalui nomor Men's 400m T37.
Raihan ini menjadi medali emas perdana bagi Sapto di nomor tersebut.

Selamat Saptoyogo Purnomo pic.twitter.com/YQ4LtMbrDC

— KEMENPORA RI (@KEMENPORA_RI) October 23, 2023

Saptoyogo’s gold medal performance also led to further recognition within the Para Athletics discipline, resulting in the donation of three medals.

Suparni Yati secured a silver medal in Women’s Shot Put F20, while Fauzi Purwolaksono earned a bronze medal in Men’s Javelin Throw F57.

As reported on the official KEMENPORA_RI X page, the Indonesian contingent has thus far amassed eight medals at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, comprising five bronze, one gold, and two silver.

These medals have been distributed across the fields of Para Athletics, Para Cycling, and Blind Judo.

It is worth noting that the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games will continue until Saturday, 28 October 2023.