Powerlifting overlooked in sports development

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The recent success of Indonesian powerlifter Sutrisno in setting a new world record at the Powerlifting World Championships in Finland has provided some hope for future development of the sport, which has often been an overlooked discipline within weightlifting.

Sutrisno lifted a total of 710.0 kilograms in the 60kg weightclass to beat the old mark by 2.5kg. He lifted 270 kg in the squat, 270 kg in the dead lift and 170 kg in the bench press.

Indonesian Weightlifting, Powerlifting and Bodybuilding Association (PABBSI) chairman Dharma Surya said on Monday he was very proud of Sutrisno's achievement and denied accusations that the sports organization only focused on weightlifting.

"Each PABBSI chapter has its own characteristics and preference. Chapters in Riau and Jambi, for example, say it is easier for them to groom powerlifters than weightlifters," he said.

"Powerlifting doesn't require as much training as compared to weightlifting where it might take years to develop an athlete."

Dharma was speaking after closing a 10-day training session for 22 weightlifting coaches from several branches.

Indonesia has long excelled in powerlifting but Dharma said development of the muscular sport had experienced obstacles, particularly due to its regular absence at major multi-sport events.

"Unlike weightlifting, powerlifting is not included as a medal sport in either the Olympic Games or other international games. There are, however, regional and world powerlifting championships," he said.

Powerlifting was contested at the World Games in Akita, Japan, last July as an exhibition sport.

"Once powerlifting is officially accepted in the World Games, we will surely send our powerlifters," Dharma said.

The World Games mainly features popular sports that are not included in the Olympic Movement. Among the sports and contests are the tug-of-war and open water swimming.

PABBSI executive director Gandrung said coaches taking part in the national intermediate training course came from, among others, North Sumatra, Riau, Bengkulu and West Java.

"The tutor was national coach Lukman, as recommended by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), based on the fact that he has taken an advanced course in Hungary.

"We expect that the coaches will be able to develop new potential athletes to continue our achievements," Gandrung said.

PABBSI organized the course after receiving US$4,000 in funding from the National Sports Council (KONI) as part of an Olympic Solidarity Grant.