The 2018 Asian Games will most likely be remembered fondly by Indonesians (despite numerous preparation drama and ticketing chaos) as the hosts have already recorded their best performance ever at the world’s second biggest multi-sports event.
This morning, Indonesia earned its 14th gold medal thanks to Pencak Silat duo Jampil Yola Primadona and Hendy. With a week to go until the end of the games, Indonesia has already broken its own gold medal record, which has stood since Indonesian athletes won 12 gold medals the last time Jakarta hosted the games in 1962. The nation’s current haul of 52 medals is also a new record, beating the 51 medals won in 1962.
President Joko Widodo is optimistic that the gold medals will continue to come and that Indonesia will comfortably surpass its target of 16 gold medals in the competition.
“I think the 16 gold medals target that we set will be surpassed, God willing. I am optimistic,” Jokowi told reporters today, as quoted by Kompas.
As many predicted, China is the runaway leader on the medals scoreboard, winning 78 gold medals and 175 medals in total as of this morning. Japan is second with 40 gold medals, followed by the Republic of Korea with 28, Iran with 14, and, in fifth place, Indonesia with 14.
For live updates on the Asian Games 2018 medal winners, visit the games’ official website here.
