Peparnas: Newcomers secure badminton gold

Several newcomers from different provinces have dominated the badminton matches at the National Paralympic Week (Peparnas) XVI in Papua.

The debutant athletes who managed to emerge as the best in the elite-class competition include West Java's Bambang Usiyan Purwito who clinched a gold medal in the men's badminton singles SL3.

Purwito beat East Java's finest player, Ali Sukri, in the final match at GOR Cenderawasih, Jayapura city on Wednesday in two straight games, scoring 21-16 and 21-17.

"I am not the best player and did not expect to immediately win gold in my first appearance at the national level," he remarked after the match.

He said that his victory has motivated him to continue the positive trend in elite class matches that are scheduled to start on Thursday (November 11, 2021).

The elite class competitions will be more difficult because he would have to face the players who have played in international tournaments, he highlighted.

"I will try my best. The West Java contingent has no target, but what is important is to enjoy the play and focus on getting points," Purwito said.

West Java debutants Hijrah Yanti and Katarina also succeeded in winning gold medals in the wheelchair women's doubles.

In their first outing at the biggest sporting event for disabled athletes, they successfully brought home gold after defeating Jakarta's Eti Yuli and Evi Nurahmawati, scoring 21-17, 21-16.

"We did not expect to win a gold medal," Yanti remarked, who performed in Peparnas Papua with a rented wheelchair.

Furthermore, Subhan and Kustanti, who also made their first appearance, won the gold medal in the mixed doubles SS6 after defeating South Kalimantan's M. Aspihani and Zahra with a score of 21-10, 21-9 in the final match. (