Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian para-athlete Felipus Kolymau`s love for his wife motivated him to win a silver medal in the 400 meters (m) T20 men`s race at the Asian Para Games 2018 on Tuesday.

"My wife always supports me. She makes me confident," Kolymau stated after competing at the Bung Karno Main Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta.

Kolymau married Feby Priskila Fransiepl in 2017 after they met at the national training center in Solo, Central Java.

Kolymau said the presence of Fransiepl, who is also a national athlete in the number one athletics run, had a calming effect when he trained at the national training camps in Solo.

Even when Fransiepl was not part of the national training session for the 2018 Asian Para Games, Kolymau, the young man from East Nusa Tenggara, rented a dorm room to live with his wife due to which he was separated from his colleagues.

"I am accustomed to practicing with my wife. Hence, when she did not take part in the 2018 Asian Para Games, I was less comfortable practicing," Kolymau noted.

The 23-year-old young man admitted that the discomfort did affect his performance on the field, owing to which he failed to match his best time record of 49.57 seconds clocked when he won a gold medal at the 2015 ASEAN Para Games in Singapore.

"I was a bit disappointed, as my time record was decreasing. I apologize to everyone, especially my wife, because I have not been able to give my best," noted Felipus, who at the 2018 Asian Para Games had prepared a special shirt bearing an image of himself and his wife as a bride and said "Papa Sayang Mama Sayang Selamanya" to demonstrate his affection for his life companion.

Kolymau managed to contribute to the 2018 Asia Para Games medal purse for Indonesia after winning a silver medal in the 400m T20 men`s run, with a time of 50.28 seconds.

In this number, Malaysian athlete Nasharuddin emerged as the best, with a time of 49.32 seconds, while a bronze was won by another runner from Indonesia Endi Nurdin Tine, with a time of 50.62 seconds.

Following Kolymau`s achievement, the medal count for Indonesian para-athletics on Tuesday until 12 noon already reached two silver and two bronze medals.

Apart from Kolymau, a silver medal was won by Rizal Bagus Saktiyono. The bronze was secured by Endi Nurdin Tine and Elvin Elhudia Sesa in the 400m T20 women`s running number.

As of 12 noon on Tuesday, Indonesia had pocketed five gold medals at the 2018 Asian Para Games.

Reporting by Michael Siahaan
Editing by Otniel Tamindael, Bustanuddin

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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