'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.