Chocolate Becomes One of Veddriq Leonardo’s Secret Weapons to Win 2024 Olympic Gold

Liputan6.com, Jakarta- Veddriq Leonardo became the first Indonesian athlete to win a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. The athlete from Pontianak was the best in the men’s speed rock climbing event in the final which took place on Thursday (8/8/2024) evening WIB.

In the final, Veddriq defeated China’s Wu Peng in the men’s speed final held at Le Bourget Sport Climbing Venue. Veddriq finished with a time of 4.75 seconds, while his opponent was slightly behind with a time of 4.77 seconds.

Veddriq’s success is very historic. Not only did he win the first gold medal for Indonesia at the 2024 Olympics. Veddriq also broke the tradition where so far only badminton could contribute gold for Indonesia at the Olympics.

Before the 2024 Olympics, badminton had contributed eight gold medals to Indonesia at the Olympics since 1992 through the gold pair Susy Susanti and Alan Budikusuma.

Veddriq’s success is inseparable from his maximum preparation. In addition to practicing diligently, Veddriq also deliberately brought chocolate from Indonesia to consume during the match.

Although there are many luxurious chocolates in Europe, Veddriq chose to bring them from Indonesia because he was used to the taste. Veddriq did not want to gamble eating chocolate bought in Europe because it tasted more bitter.

“I brought chocolate from Indonesia to France. Chocolate is important for the match because it requires sugar. I deliberately brought chocolate from my home country because chocolate in Europe is more bitter,” said Veddriq to reporters including Liputan6.com when he was about to leave for France at the end of last July.