REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesian young lifter Muhamad Rijal Abdilah presents the gold medal to the Red and White Contingent at the Asian Youth Games (AYG) Bahrain 2025. Down in the 60-kilogram boys class, Rijal performed brilliantly in the clean and jerk number with a best weight of 143 kilograms.
“Thank God, I am so proud. A year’s hard work and practice at centralizing national drills finally paid off. Leaving the family at home is not in vain,” said Rijal with gratitude after the match, Monday (27/10/2025).
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The fight in the clean and jerk numbers was tight from the start. In the first two trials, Rijal successfully lifted 136 kilograms and 139 kilograms. However, the competition got hotter when Chinese lifter Xunfa Chen managed to record 141 kilograms, followed by Indian athlete Maharajan Arumugapandian with 142 kilograms.
Rijal who hails from Bandung Regency showed extraordinary composure on his last chance. He raised the weight to 143 kilograms and managed to lift it perfectly. The decision of three jurors declared his appointment valid, ensuring the gold fell into Indonesian hands.
“This force is above the force at training. In the track, my best clean and jerk force is only 141 kilograms, but here it can reach 143 kilograms,” Rijal added.
On snatch numbers, Rijal had to settle for fourth place with a force of 107 kilograms. The top spot was taken by Xunfa Chen (China) with 120 kilograms, followed by Maharajan Arumugapandian (India) with 114 kilograms, and Ayu Higa (Japan) with 110 kilograms.
Despite not achieving maximum results in the snatch, Rijal’s achievement remains remarkable. AYG 2025 was his first international multi-event, and he immediately managed to get on the podium after previously winning the World Youth Championship in Peru.
“I want to continue to train harder, be more disciplined, and obey the coach. My next target is to qualify for the Olympics,” Rijal said excitedly.
