Rikki Martin Simbolon won gold in his debut at the SEA Games

– Runner Rikki Martin Simbolon made a sweet debut by winning gold at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia in the men’s 10,000 meter dash.

In the race that was held at the Morodok Techo National Stadium, Phnom Penh, Thursday (11/5/2023), Rikki recorded a time of 31 minutes 08.85 seconds so that he became the fastest and contributed gold to the Indonesian contingent.

The runner whose full name is Rikki Marthin Luther Simbolon has indeed appeared consistently from the start of the race by being in the front row pinned by the closest competitor from Singapore Rui Yong Guillaume Soh.

The two of them continued to compete until the bell rang signaling the end of one more round. Rikki then increased his speed and slowly started to leave his competitor.

After making sure to finish in first place, Rikki immediately lay down and expressed his joy and tiredness by screaming. According to Rikki, this result could not be separated from the hard work he had done during the preparation period.

“I feel that I have to keep my spirits up whoever my opponent is. The competition in the race was quite fierce. But I fought it all out. This will be my first SEA Games,” said Rikki as quoted Between.

Meanwhile Singaporean runner Guillaume Soh ended the race by entering the final line in second place and was entitled to a silver medal. Soh finished with a time of 31 minutes 10.70 seconds. Meanwhile, Than Htike Soe from Vietnam was in third place and was entitled to bronze with a time of 31 minutes 25.55 seconds.

Rikki’s colleague from the Red and White Team, Agus Prayogo, finished fourth after recording a time of 31 minutes 53.52 seconds in the men’s 10,000 meters.

Another medal for the Indonesian contingent from the athletics branch was donated by Eki Febri Ekawati who won silver from the women’s shot put number. She failed to defend her gold medal after coming in second with a 15.24 meter push.

Eki lost to Thai representative Areerat Intadis who won gold with 15.24 meters. Malaysian athlete Nani Sahirah Maryata is entitled to bronze with a record of 14.44 meters.

With the addition of one gold and one silver, Indonesia has a total of 7 gold, 3 silver, 8 bronze and is in third place in the athletics medal standings. Thailand at the top with 13 gold, 6 silver, 4 silver. The second position is Vietnam with 10 gold, 18 silver, 7 bronze.