Jakarta, (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has expressed his appreciation to the country`s athletes for the remarkable achievement made so far in the current 18th Asian Games 2018.

He wrote in his official Facebook account on Monday evening that the Games will only conclude a week later, but Indonesian athletes have been able to surpass the target of 16 gold medals.

"Today, Indonesia has collected 22 gold, 15 silver, and 27 bronze medals," he noted.

He added that most of the gold medals won on Monday were from "pencak silat" (martial arts).

"Most of the gold medals were won by pencak silat athletes at the Padepokan Pencak Silat Taman Mini Indonesia Indah venue today, reaching a total of eight medals," he noted.

The president, in particular, expressed appreciation to a married couple who had contributed a gold medal each to the country.

"Two gold medals were even won by Iqbal Candra Oratama and Sarah Tris Minifa, who are husband and wife. In addition, two gold medals were collected from men`s and women`s sport climbing event in Palembang," he remarked.

He continued to motivate athletes to keep on fighting until the end of the Games to do the best for the country.

"Efforts to collect medals must still continue. Our athletes will still fight at the sports venues to promote the name of the country," he pointed out.

Reporting by Hani Sofia
Editing by Yoseph Haryadi

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018