Moreover, the Indonesian team had also won three silver medals at the Olympiad. The silver medalists were Fahmi Naufal Rizki, a student of Kharisma Bangsa SMA in South Tangerang in Banten province; M Ridho Setiyawan, a student of SMAN 1 in Central Java province; and Mario Lorenzo, a student of Vocational High School of BPK Penabung Gading Serpong.
"I am extremely happy that a student from SMA 8 of Pekanbaru city has won a gold medal for Indonesia," Riau Governor Arsyadjuliandi Rachman said on the sidelines of the victory celebration in SMA 8 of Pekanbaru on Monday.
Fanggohanss victory was welcomed with a festive celebration at SMAN 8 of Pekanbaru on Monday. The 17-year-old winner received the medal and a bouquet of flowers from the governor.
Rachman stated that the achievement was very special as the Indonesian team had won only two silver and two bronze medals at the 48th International Chemistry Olympiad in Georgia.
"This victory is very special because I heard this is the first time we have got a gold medal since 2009," he stated.
He hoped that the victory could became a motivation for other students to win some Olympiads.
He stated that Riau province really needed competent human resources to carry out its development.
"I ask all children to use their time to learn diligently. Riau needs smart human resources because the opportunities for future advancement are huge, while the challenges will also vary," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Fanggohans remarked that he would strive to continue to make personal achievements as well as for the country.
"My future target is to bring a golden tradition to Indonesia," he revealed.
Students from 80 countries participated in the Olympiad. During the competition, the students were tested for their abilities, which includes both theoretical and practical skills in the laboratory.
Each country had sent four best students to participate in the event.
The Indonesian team had previously taken part in the selection stages and coaching from the Departments of Chemistry of the University of Indonesia and the Bandung Institute of Technology. Some of the materials used in the Olympiad were never studied by high school students in Indonesia.
"My preparations were actually quite long, starting from 10th grade in senior high school, to study independently and follow learning process in classroom, until a special preparation for 10 weeks in the quarantine," Fanggohans explained.
He conveyed his gratitude to teachers and mentors for their guidance.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
