'Overlooked' Sutrisno proves his world prowess
'Overlooked' Sutrisno proves his world prowess
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post/Palembang
Sutrisno is again the world's most powerful lifter in his
class -- at least among his peers.
His success at the National Games (PON) in setting a new
unofficial world record last week, breaking his old world record
of 715 kilograms -- he produced in Dong Hae City, South Korea, in
2002 -- to lift 725 kilograms in the men's 60-kilogram weight
powerlifting category, is proof enough of the 29-year-old's
prowess.
Because events in the Games do not meet internationally
standardized requirements for equipment and supervision by
international delegates, world records like Sutrisno's set in the
tournament are not recognized.
Despite this fact, Sutrisno is undeterred and is planning to
equal or better his feat in the future.
"I'm happy I could surpass my world record in this National
Games even though it will not be recorded as a new world best,"
he said.
"I will try to do it again in the World Games later this
year," he said.
Although the world mark officially still stands at 715
kilograms, the lift that won Lampung a gold medal means Sutrisno,
should receive Rp 30 million in cash bonuses from the
administration.
He was also expecting a permanent job.
"I hope they will fulfill their promises," said Sutrisno, who
is the father of two sons and a daughter.
"It is important for me and my family."
He is now working part-time with the Lampung Chapter of
Indonesian Sports National Committee.
Sutrisno said people tended to overlook his achievements
because powerlifting was not a popular sport in the country.
"It is not like athletics or badminton which receive a lot of
public attention," he said.
"When I won international competitions, what I got was
congratulations. Not more than that. There were no financial
rewards. No assurances of a job until now," he said.
Sutrisno became interested in powerlifting in 1992, when a
friend of his introduced him to the sport.
"Initially I loved athletics, but in 1992 I switched to
powerlifting. Powerlifting only needs power," he said.
His choice has proven a good one.
Early on in his career, he won a bronze at the 1992 Sumatra
Games in the men's 56 kilogram category.
His national fame began at the 1993 National Games when he won
the men's 60 kilogram bronze. He was then unstoppable, winning
gold in the Games in 1996, 2000 and 2004.
His first international win came at the world's junior
powerlifting championship in Bali, 1994, where he won gold before
winning the world championship in Austria in 1997.
Sutrisno attributed his success to his coach Imron Rosadi,
whom he said had helped push him to the world No. 1 spot.
Imron said Sutrisno was an athlete who still had great
potential in his sport because he was strongly motivated to win.
Asked when he would quit powerlifting, Sutrisno said he would
continue to compete until his power deserted him.