Indonesia a Big Winner at Asian Games
Indonesia had its best result ever in an Asian Games this year with a total of 31 gold, 24 silver and 43 bronze medals.
In the previous games it had reached only 16 golds. This year’s total was also due to the inclusion of pencak silat (martial arts originating in Indonesia) as a new sport. The men’s 4 X 400 won gold with a time that put them in striking distance of Olympic top 10 times.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo joined the leader of the opposition, Prabowo Subianto, and other prominent figures to watch the 2018 Asian Games pencak silat final and embraced each other as well as one of the gold medalists in a memorable photo.
Indonesia to Bid for 2032 Olympics
Indonesia will bid for the 2032 Olympics, following its successful hosting of the 2018 Asian Games and rising confidence in the world’s fourth most populous nation in organizing international multisport events.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo made the announcement after a meeting with International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach and Olympic Council of Asia president Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah at the Presidential Palace in Bogor, West Java, on Saturday (01/09).
“With the experience we have in hosting the 2018 Asian Games, we are confident Indonesia can also host a bigger event … Indonesia plans to propose itself as a host candidate for the 2032 Olympics,” Jokowi said in a statement.