Powerlifting overlooked in sports development
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.