Indonesia's Olympic gold medal hope Rahmat Erwin Abdullah: The key to glory
The Olympic bronze medallist and world record holder in the 73kg clean and jerk talks exclusively to Olympics.com after winning a third consecutive Southeast Asian Games gold.
Weightlifting
“We don’t need Rahmat to be famous, we need Rahmat to win,” said Raja Sapta Oktohari with a big smile.
The president of the National Olympic Committee of Indonesia was talking exclusively to Olympics.com on 15 May, alongside his weightlifting charge, Rahmat Erwin Abdullah, who had just claimed his third consecutive title at the Southeast Asian Games.
Oktohari was chipping in after Abdullah had responded to the question, how famous are you? "In Indonesia weightlifting, yes, really famous," grinned Abdullah, "but locally, not really".
Abdullah's previous two SEA Games titles were won in 2019 and 2021 in the 73kg class. At Cambodia 2023, Abdullah did the business in the 81kg division, lifting 158kg in the snatch and 201kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 359kg, 34kg more than his nearest competitor Chatuphum Chinnawong of Thailand.
Easing into the competition, Abdullah knew he didn’t need to get anywhere near his best, including a world record of 200kg he achieved in the snatch at the World Championships in December 2022.
Not only that, he enjoyed watching girlfriend and fellow weightlifter, Tsabitha Alfiah Ramadani win the women’s 64kg title on the same day. “It’s good for her too,” he said, loooking over to her in the stands watching on.
When asked if she gets nervous watching her boyfriend compete, Ramadani said no: “I just believe that he will win gold and he did.”
The 22-year-old said he felt “free” during the event at the 32nd edition of the SEA Games in which he didn’t have to stretch himself in order to add to his burgeoning medal collection, but there are more competitive events looming with much more at stake.
Rahmat Erwin Abdullah dreams of Olympic gold
The Asian Games in Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China take place from 23 September to 8 October 2023, where Abdullah will not only hope to make his mark but there are also precious Paris 2024 Olympic qualification points on offer, which make up the rankings for the quota places for each nation.
When asked what his lifting goals are for the season, Abdullah leaned forward conspiratorially and said quietly, “It’s a secret”, before stepping back with a grin.
Oktohari beams, too.
“One thing we learn from Rahmat is he is one of the most professional athletes from Indonesia; he’s very disciplined. When he wakes up and when he goes to sleep, with his food and diet he’s a role model.”
No doubt he learned this disciplined life from his parents, also both former weightlifters. His mother, Ami Asun Budiono won gold at the 1995 Southeast Asian Games and his father, Erwin Abdullah, won silver at the 2002 Asian Games. Abdullah senior also qualified for Athens 2004 although couldn't compete due to injury.
Abdullah junior has laid that dreaded injury ghost to rest for himself after competing at Tokyo 2020 where he claimed bronze. Now he wants more: “I’m feeling good for the Olympic Games next year. I hope my condition is very top at that moment. Maybe I can achieve the highest for weightlifting for the Olympics.”
“I'm so proud of him,” said Oktohari. “He’s one of Indonesia’s potential gold medallists at Paris Olympics. I’ve seen him since the beginning and we always believe in him. This is not the end, this is the start.
“If he gets a gold medal at the Olympics, then he will be famous.”