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Indonesia Targets Four Gold Medals at 2026 Asian Games

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Indonesia has set a target of four gold medals for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan.
  • The reduced target, down from seven in 2023, accounts for the removal of several key events like shooting and rowing.
  • The government has increased the budget for the contingent's departure to 61 billion rupiah, up from 30 billion rupiah.

Indonesia aims for four gold medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan, a decrease from the seven achieved in 2023. Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir cited the removal of several core events, including shooting and rowing, as the reason for the adjusted, more realistic target.

The target must be realistic, around four gold medals. If it was seven before, it's because three events that were previously included are no longer contested at the Asian Games, such as shooting and rowing.

— Erick ThohirMinister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir explaining the rationale behind the reduced gold medal target for the 2026 Asian Games.

Thohir declined to specify which sports are expected to contribute to the medal count, stating a desire to avoid revealing strategies to rival nations. "We must not be naive by revealing all our data, oh the gold target is from this branch, this athlete, this number. Then the enemy already knows. Even though we know the priorities," he explained.

So we must not be naive by revealing all our data, oh the gold target is from this branch, this athlete, this number. Then the enemy already knows. Even though we know the priorities.

— Erick ThohirMinister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir on the strategy of not disclosing specific medal-winning sports.

The government has significantly boosted the budget for the Indonesian contingent's participation, raising it from approximately 30 billion rupiah to 61 billion rupiah. This entire sum has been allocated to the Indonesian Olympic Committee (KOI).

Alhamdulillah the funds collected were 61 billion rupiah yesterday and we have given it entirely to KOI.

— Erick ThohirMinister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir announcing the increased budget for the contingent.

Chief de Mission (CdM) for the 2026 Asian Games, Todotua Pasaribu, confirmed coordination with 32 sports Indonesia will compete in. Around 411 athletes are currently prepared, with an expected increase to approximately 420. Including about 150 officials, the total Indonesian contingent is projected to be nearly 600 people. An advance team will soon travel to Japan to inspect venues, accommodation, and transportation, and will liaunt with the Indonesian Embassy and Garuda Indonesia to ensure smooth travel arrangements.

So the total athletes and officials for the team that will compete will be around 600.

— Todotua PasaribuChief de Mission (CdM) for the 2026 Asian Games, Todotua Pasaribu, detailing the expected size of the Indonesian contingent.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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