Rizki Juaniansyah talks to reporters on May 16, 2024 at a Team Visa for Paris 2024 press event in Jakarta. The Indonesian weightlifter broke the men’s 73-kilogram world record on April 4 at this year’s IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, to qualify for the Paris Olympics. (Antara/Aloysius Lewokeda)
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eightlifter Rizki Juaniansyah is optimistic that he will achieve victory and make Indonesia proud when he debuts the world's biggest sporting event in Paris this year.
The 21-year-old is determined to make history by winning a weightlifting gold medal at the Paris Olympics, after setting a new world record in the men’s 73-kilogram category in April during the 2024 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand.
Rizki made his mark at the Olympics qualifier in Phuket by lifting a total of 365 kg, with 164 kg in the snatch event and 201 kg in the clean and jerk event.
The previous world record of 364 kg was made at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by China's Shi Zhiyong, who also won gold medals in the 69 kg category at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil as well as at Tokyo.
"God willing, with my determination and prayers, I will make history for Indonesia by winning a gold medal," Rizki said on July 10 during a ceremony at the Youth and Sports Ministry in Jakarta.
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Indonesian weightlifters have consistently brought home Olympic medals since the Sydney 2000 Games for a total of seven silvers and eight bronzes, but have yet to win a gold medal in the sport.