Indonesia's Eko Yuli Irawan Eyes Sixth Asian Games Medal at Aichi-Nagoya 2026

Indonesian weightlifting veteran Eko Yuli Irawan is poised to make his sixth appearance at the Asian Games, with the 2026 edition scheduled to take place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The 37-year-old athlete is set to compete in the men's 65 kg event, aiming to add to his already impressive medal haul from previous continental games.

Irawan's Asian Games journey began two decades ago in Doha, Qatar, where he competed in the 65 kg category and finished sixth. He secured his first medal, a bronze, in Guangzhou in 2010, followed by another bronze in Incheon in 2014. A personal milestone was achieved on home soil at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, where he clinched a gold medal.

However, his streak of podium finishes ended at the Hangzhou 2022 Games after failing to complete his clean and jerk attempts. Despite this setback, Irawan has another opportunity to showcase his prowess and potentially add to his legacy at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Games.

He will be part of a strong Indonesian contingent, which also includes fellow lifters Ricko Saputra (men's 60 kg), Rahmat Erwin Abdullah (75 kg), and Rizki Juniansyah (85 kg). In the women's events, Indonesia will be represented by Luluk Diana Tri Wijayana (49 kg), Juliana Klarisna (53 kg), Natasha Beteyob (61 kg), and Indah Afriza (69 kg).