Ni Nengah Widiasih ventures into culinary business thanks to government bonus
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Paralympic powerlifter Ni Nengah Widiasih is pursuing a culinary business in her hometown in Bali thanks to the bonus she received from the government.
According to an official release from the Kemenpora Public Relations Office on Friday, Ni Nengah officially opened the Babi Guling Balah Men Bingin eatery in the Kesiman area of Denpasar on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.
Ni Nengah stated that the business stems from her family’s background in cooking, particularly her father, who is renowned for his skill in preparing Balinese cuisine and babi guling.
According to Ni Nengah, the government’s attention to athletes has now changed and is extraordinary, thanks to the bonuses provided by the government.
The two-time Paralympic medallist is expanding her endeavours from the weightlifting arena to the world of culinary business as a step to prepare for the future while also creating job opportunities for the community.
“My family is indeed skilled at cooking, especially my father. So why not develop it? At the same time, so that my father has something to keep him occupied after my mother passed away,” said Ni Nengah.
The plan to start a business had long been a desire. However, the search for a location was only pursued seriously at the end of 2024. After several times feeling that the available places were not suitable, the right location was obtained at the end of 2025, when she began to resign herself and stop the search.
This business is her first venture together with her older sibling. Ni Nengah admits that the culinary world is far different from the sports world or property investments that she previously knew better. She only realised the complexity of managing a restaurant after getting directly involved.
“It turns out it’s not as easy as imagined. Behind one dish, there are many processes and people involved,” Ni Nengah revealed.
As an athlete who has recorded international achievements—a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, silver at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, and fifth place at the Paris 2024 Paralympics—Ni Nengah realises that an athletic career has a time limit. Therefore, this culinary business is one of her long-term preparations.
“Athletes can’t do it forever. This is one of my retirement preparations. At least, I already have a business and can create jobs,” she said.
“I don’t want to succeed alone. If we’re given more sustenance, don’t keep it to yourself. Having just one or two employees is already very meaningful,” she added.
The name Men Bingin, given to her restaurant, is taken from her late mother’s family name as a form of respect.
All the dishes are prepared directly by her father, who, according to her, cooks with full love, as if for his own family.