REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PALEMBANG -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)  lauded Indonesian athlete Lalu Muhammad Zohri, who won the U-20 Athletic World Cup in Tampere, Finland. He believed Zohri's achievement can boost the spirit of other athletes to win gold in the Asian Games 2018.

"Zohri's victory will become a motivation for our other athletes to harbor a high spirit in winning more gold medals in the 100-meter event," President Jokowi remarked after distributing land certificates to the people of Benteng Kuto Besak, Palembang, South Sumatra Province, on Friday.

Furthermore, the president said he as well as all people of Indonesia were proud of the outstanding achievement of Zohri. Zohri managed to beat two runners from the United States by clocking a time of 10.18 seconds. He narrowly won over Anthony Schwartz and Eric Harrison, who both recorded a time of 10.22 seconds.

Lalu Muhammad Zohri (left) competes in the 100-meter event U-20 Athletic World Cup in Findland, Wednesday (July 11).

According to the president, Zohri's achievement would be the start for Indonesia to achieve success in future events, including the 2018 Asian Games.

This achievement of Zohri marks a new page in the history of Indonesia's athletic sports. Earlier, Indonesia had recorded the best achievement in the 100-meter run at the same championship in 1986 by finishing 8th in the preliminary round.

Indonesian sprinter, Lalu Muhammad Zohri kneels after winning the U-20 Athletic World Cup in Findland.

Zohri, who was born on July 1, 2000, is ready to compete in the 18th Asian Games to be held in Jakarta and Palembang next month. Zohri comes from a modest family, whose house is located in Karang Pangsor Hamlet in Pemenang Barat Village, North Lombok District, in West Nusa Tenggara Province.

In a video obtained from Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Zohri expressed gratitude for the president's support. "Thanks a lot for the prayers of Mr. President and all the people of Indonesia," Zohri, who did aspire to renovate his rickety house in his hometown if he achieved success, noted.

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