“Indonesian runner Lalu Muhammad Zohri wins bronze in men’s 200 meters at SEA Games 2023”

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Indonesian runner Then Muhammad Zohri made his international debut in the men’s 200 meters at SEA Games 2023. He had to settle for a bronze medal in the competition which took place at the Morodok Tecno National Stadium, Phnom Penh, Monday, .

Zohri finished in third place with a time of 21.02 seconds, behind Thai sprinter Soraoat Dapbang who won the gold medal after recording 20.52 seconds. Meanwhile, the silver belongs to the Vietnamese athlete Ngoc Nghia Ngan with a record of 20.84 seconds.

“This is the first time I have competed in the 200 meter race outside Indonesia. I am grateful that I have won a medal,” said Zohri after the race.

For Zohri, this is the first time he has competed in the 200 meters at an international event. The specialist number for the athlete from West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is 100 meters.

In his first appearance at the 2023 SEA Games, Zohri also experienced a few problems. He experienced pain in his feet so that his performance was less than optimal.

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“This morning during practice I had a problem with my leg. There was actual pain before I entered the field. My trainer also advised me not to race if that was not possible. But I tried and indeed in the middle of the race I felt it again,” Zohri recounted.

After the race Zohri will immediately rest to restore his condition. He hopes that the problems that have arisen today will not occur in the next races, namely the men’s 4×100 meter relay and his flagship number in the men’s 100 meter number.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian track and field coach, especially the men’s sprint number, Eni Nuraeni, revealed the reason Zohri competed in the men’s 200 meter. According to him, Zohri’s record time while practicing has the potential to produce a medal.

“So we decided for him to take part in the 200 meter number because there is a chance for a medal. Indeed, this is not his specialist number,” said Eni.

Eni also said that Zohri’s record this time was no better than before. Zohri has the best time record for the men’s 200 meter number of 20.80 seconds when he competes in the 2019 Athletics National Championship.

“Maybe the leg problems he experienced had an effect as well. The time record is far from before. Hopefully in the future he can carve the best results,” concluded Eni.

In the men’s 200 meters, Indonesia has Bayu Kertanegara who finished sixth with a time of 21.58 seconds.

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