'Overlooked' Sutrisno proves his world prowess<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post\/Palembang<\/p>\n
Sutrisno is again the world's most powerful lifter in his
\nclass -- at least among his peers.<\/p>\n
His success at the National Games (PON) in setting a new
\nunofficial world record last week, breaking his old world record
\nof 715 kilograms -- he produced in Dong Hae City, South Korea, in
\n2002 -- to lift 725 kilograms in the men's 60-kilogram weight
\npowerlifting category, is proof enough of the 29-year-old's
\nprowess.<\/p>\n
Because events in the Games do not meet internationally
\nstandardized requirements for equipment and supervision by
\ninternational delegates, world records like Sutrisno's set in the
\ntournament are not recognized.<\/p>\n
Despite this fact, Sutrisno is undeterred and is planning to
\nequal or better his feat in the future.<\/p>\n
"I'm happy I could surpass my world record in this National
\nGames even though it will not be recorded as a new world best,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
"I will try to do it again in the World Games later this
\nyear," he said.<\/p>\n
Although the world mark officially still stands at 715
\nkilograms, the lift that won Lampung a gold medal means Sutrisno,
\nshould receive Rp 30 million in cash bonuses from the
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
He was also expecting a permanent job.<\/p>\n
"I hope they will fulfill their promises," said Sutrisno, who
\nis the father of two sons and a daughter.<\/p>\n
"It is important for me and my family."<\/p>\n
He is now working part-time with the Lampung Chapter of
\nIndonesian Sports National Committee.<\/p>\n
Sutrisno said people tended to overlook his achievements
\nbecause powerlifting was not a popular sport in the country.<\/p>\n
"It is not like athletics or badminton which receive a lot of
\npublic attention," he said.<\/p>\n
"When I won international competitions, what I got was
\ncongratulations. Not more than that. There were no financial
\nrewards. No assurances of a job until now," he said.<\/p>\n
Sutrisno became interested in powerlifting in 1992, when a
\nfriend of his introduced him to the sport.<\/p>\n
"Initially I loved athletics, but in 1992 I switched to
\npowerlifting. Powerlifting only needs power," he said.<\/p>\n
His choice has proven a good one.<\/p>\n
Early on in his career, he won a bronze at the 1992 Sumatra
\nGames in the men's 56 kilogram category.<\/p>\n
His national fame began at the 1993 National Games when he won
\nthe men's 60 kilogram bronze. He was then unstoppable, winning
\ngold in the Games in 1996, 2000 and 2004.<\/p>\n
His first international win came at the world's junior
\npowerlifting championship in Bali, 1994, where he won gold before
\nwinning the world championship in Austria in 1997.<\/p>\n
Sutrisno attributed his success to his coach Imron Rosadi,
\nwhom he said had helped push him to the world No. 1 spot.<\/p>\n
Imron said Sutrisno was an athlete who still had great
\npotential in his sport because he was strongly motivated to win.<\/p>\n
Asked when he would quit powerlifting, Sutrisno said he would
\ncontinue to compete until his power deserted him.<\/p>",
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