Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian contingent kicked off the 2022 Islamic Solidarity Games with two medals ahead of the official opening of the Islamic Countries Multi-Branch Championship in Konya, Turkey on Wednesday morning WIB.

The two medals were presented by Eki Febri Ekawati, who won bronze in the women’s shot put, and Ayustina Priatna, who won silver in the elite women’s omnium track cycling, respectively.

Eki said he was happy to be able to present Indonesia’s first medal at the event. The winner of the 2021 SEA Games secured third place after registering a throw of 14.93 meters. The gold and silver medals in the women’s shot put were won by the hosts’ representatives, Emel Dareli (17.25m) and Pinar Akyol (16.87m).

“In terms of competition, they are above us because Dareli is in the Olympics. But I show up with no burden, the most important thing is that I can land a good throw,” Eki said, in a press release from the Indonesian Olympic Committee, Tuesday. “I’m proud to be able to award a bronze medal as my right inner thigh muscle was a bit strained, luckily it was ok until I was finally able to get that bronze medal,” he said. added.

Meanwhile, cyclist Ayustina is entitled to silver after collecting 115 points, just 5 points behind gold medalist Rina Sultanova of Kazakhstan. “This silver medal is like a bloody struggle because I haven’t been on the track for a long time and I just tried again. This is my third tournament in number after India and Colombia,” said Ayu.

Also read: Indonesia has fielded 87 athletes for the Islamic Solidarity Games

“My strategy is not optimal because other countries field two runners, while I go down alone. When I played well in the first three games, the opponent immediately signaled me to be tight and because I was alone on the ground, there was no one to guard me. Ayu said she will recover first before returning to compete in the ITT and road races. Indonesia has fielded 87 athletes who will compete in 13 of the total 20 sports competing at the 2022 Islamic Solidarity Games.