First ever Asian Games paragliding medallists announced
Congratulations to Jafro Megawanto of Indonesia and Thailand’s Nunnapat Phuchong, who have become the first ever paragliding pilots to claim gold medals at the Asian Games.
More than 100 paragliding pilots from 18 different countries have travelled to Indonesia for this year’s Asian Games – the first at which paragliding has been on the agenda.
The countries represented by the 104 competitors include Afghanistan, China, Indonesia, Iran, Laos and Mongolia. And while the Cross Country event is yet to take place, the results of the Accuracy contest, which was split into Men’s, Women’s and Team events, are now in.
In the Men’s event, Megawanto put in a fantastic performance to finish in first position ahead of Thailand’s Jirasak Witeetham and Chulsoo Lee of South Korea.
His result helped Indonesia to also claim gold in the Men’s Team competition, in which South Korea took the silver medal and Thailand the bronze.
In the Women’s competition, meanwhile, reigning FAI World Air Games champion Phuchong added another gold to her medal collection, with Da Gyeom Lee of South Korea and Indonesian pilot Rika Wijayanti finishing in silver and bronze medal positions.
Thailand also triumphed in the Women’s Team event. It won the gold medal ahead of Indonesia in second place and South Korea in third.
The Accuracy contest was held at Naringgul Hill in Puncak, West Java. FAI President Frits Brink was at the games to visit the “beautiful” site and attend the spectacular Opening Ceremony at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Central Jakarta.
“If you can host the Asian Games, I’m sure bringing the 2022 World Air Games here would also be a delight for the Indonesian people,” he said.
Well done to all the pilots who participated in the Accuracy event – and good luck to those taking part in the Cross Country competition later this week!
Photo credit: Tagor Siagian/FASI
