President Jokowi Thanks Pencak Silat Exponents for Winning 14 Gold Medals

President Jokowi and the Chairman of IPSI Prabowo Subianto take picture with athletes of Pencak Silat at Pedepokan Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta, Wednesday (29/8). (Photo by: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat).

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expressed his gratitude to Pencak Silat exponents for winning 14 gold medals in 2018 Asian Games and congratulated Prabowo Subianto, chairman of the Indonesian Pencak Silat Organization (IPSI) for the achievement.

The President made the statement after attending Pencak Silat medal ceremony at Padepokan Pencak Silat, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), Jakarta, Wednesday (29/8).

“(The achievement) is dedicated for Indonesia and its people,” the President said, adding that the Government will provide bonuses to the athletes.

For the record, Pencak Silat becomes the biggest gold medal contributor for Indonesia after sweeping 14 gold medals. Indonesia is now in the fourth spot on the medal tally after securing 30 gold medals, 22 silver medals, and 35 bronze medals – the best result the country has ever achieved in its history.

In the meantime, Prabowo Subianto also expressed gratitude for the achievements of Indonesian Pencak Silat exponents and thanked President Jokowi, Vice President Jusuf Kalla, and the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia Megawati Soekarnoputri for attending the final of Pencak Silat.

“I am happy that we are here to attend the crucial moment and to support Pencak Silat. We are proud to give our best for our country,” Prabowo said.

For the record, one of the Pencak Silat gold medalists was Hanifan Yudani Kusumah who defeated Nguyen Thai Linh from Vietnam.  After winning the game Hanifan, covered in the Red and White flag, immediately approached the VVIP tribune where the President and dignitaries watched the match and embraced President Jokowi and Prabowo. The moment was greeted with a boisterous applause from the spectators.

Asked about the moment of embrace, Prabowo said that he is happy. “We are united for the sake of the nation,” Prabowo concluded.

(BPMI/EN) (RI/EP/Naster)