Rizki Juniansyah secured gold at the 2024 Olympics after successfully lifting a weight weighing 199 kilograms during the clean & jerk session. It was even more special because this class was an Olympic record.
Rizki’s father, Muhammad Yasin, who was an Indonesian lifter in the 1980s to 1990s, was heartened by the achievements of his third child.
“I’m automatically proud, I’m very happy. I cried, cried happily,” said Yasin.
According to him, Rizki always performs optimal in every championship, so his performance at the Olympics did not surprise Yasin.
Rizki and Rahmat’s rivalry is indeed thickening ahead of the 2024 Olympics. This is because these two top Indonesian athletes are both appearing in the 73 kg class because the 81 kg class will not be contested at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In Paris 2024, for the men’s category, after class 73, go straight to class 89 kg. This is a weight that is considered unrealistic for Rizki or Rahmat to pursue. Therefore they competed in the 73 kg number.
Finally, Rizki qualified for the 2024 Olympics after winning a gold medal at the 2024 IWF World Championships in Phuket, Thailand. At that time Rahmat won a bronze medal.
At the 2023 SEA Games, Rahmat appeared in the men’s 81 kg class and won gold. At the same time Rizki appeared in the men’s 73 kg class and also won gold. At that time both of them made records.
Previously, when appearing at the 2021 SEA Games, Rahmat appeared in the 73kg class and won gold. Meanwhile, Rizki appeared in the 81 kg class which resulted in a silver medal because he lost by one kilogram.
According to Yasin, Rizki will focus on appearing in the 81kg class in the upcoming championships. Apart from adapting, Rizki will compete with tough opponents in the 81 kg class.
“Rizki will no longer be in the 73 kg class. He can go up to 81 kg. As his weight increases, Rizki’s power will also increase,” said Yasin.
So far there is no certainty regarding the weightlifting classes that will be competed in at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
