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Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Para Badminton team won four gold, three silver and three bronze medals at the 2023 Canadian Para Badminton International in Ottawa, Canada, June 14-18.

This achievement is valuable given that the championship in Canada is part of an event to collect points for Indonesian para badminton athletes ahead of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France.

Indonesia's four gold medals were presented by the mixed doubles SH6 on behalf of Subhan/Rina Marlina, Hikmat Ramdani/Leani Ratri Oktila in mixed doubles SL3 – SU5, Qonitah Ikhtiar in women's singles SL3 and Rina Marlina in SH6 women’s singles.

“In this championship, all players showed their best game so that every match was close from the first round. “I am certainly very happy to finally be able to give my best,” said Leani Ratri Oktila in a statement written received Monday in Jakarta.

At the championship in Canada, Ratri said his partner Hikmat had to compete with minimal equipment because he lost his suitcase when he arrived in Canada.

“Yes, it’s a shame, my mixed doubles partner lost his suitcase when he landed here (Canada). All the equipment and competition documents were in the suitcase. This incident is very disturbing to the mind. Still, my colleague was struggling with all the equipment he had to borrow. “Until the end of the tournament, we didn't even have our suitcases, even though we wanted to return to our country,” Ratri said.

Also read: Ratri Oktila said APG 2023 would be a preparation event for the Paralympics

Achieving four gold medals is a very proud result because it adds points to the Paris Paralympic Games.

Apart from that, they were also athletes from the ASEAN Para Games Cambodia 2023 who immediately flew to Canada without having to return to Indonesia first.

“The main obstacle facing athletes is of course the problem of recovery, because previously athletes participating in the APG went directly to Canada and the journey was long,” said Indonesian para badminton coach Jarot Hernowo.

“Athletes' play has improved significantly as they are able to match the stamina of athletes from other countries who have been our toughest competitors. “Athletes' performances are still in good shape, in line with our goal of score points with a view to Paris 2024,” he added.

Also read: By winning six gold medals on the last day, Indonesia is champion of the general classification in para-badminton

Meanwhile, three silver medals were presented by Khalimatus Sa'diyah (SL4 women's singles), Leani Ratri/Khalimatus (SL3-SU5 women's doubles) and SL3-SU5 mixed doubles pair Fredy Setiawan/Khalimatus.

The bronze medals were won by Fredy Setiawan and Hikmat Ramdani (SL4 men's singles) and Dheva Anrimusti in SU5 men's singles.

The Indonesian para badminton team, which is under the auspices of NPC Indonesia, thanks the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Canada for continuing its efforts to find Hikmat's suitcase.

Great gratitude was also given to Indonesian citizens in Canada for their support of Indonesian athletes during the championship.

After its appearance in Canada, the Indonesian para-badminton team will then participate in the English Championship, a level 1 tournament, from August 2 to 6.

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