The first gold for the West Java team was won by the Andri Agus Mulyana and Indra Hidayat pair in the men's 1,000-meter doubles kayak event by recording the best time of three minutes and 36.7 seconds.
The Muhammad Yunus and Roby Kuswandi pair contributed the second gold medal for West Java after winning the men's canoe doubles 1,000-meter by clocking four minutes and 2,986 seconds.
Canoe athlete Yunus, who is also part of the Indonesian national rowing team, was overwhelmed with emotions after winning another gold medal for his province.
"I am speechless after winning the gold medal, especially because this PON Games would be my final. I have contributed a bronze and two gold medals for the rowing competition in the last three PON Games. I am beyond proud of myself," Yunus stated while expressing hope to continue to contribute to the national team after his last PON Games this year.
West Java's rowing contingent also won one silver medal after Yuda Firmansyah came second in the men's canoe single 1,000-meter by recording four minutes and 20.96 seconds. The gold medal in rowing was secured by the Southeast Sulawesi team, while the bronze medal was won by the Jambi team.
Meanwhile, the West Java delegate for the men's kayak single 1,000-meter only finished in fourth place, as the Riau, Jambi, and Jakarta teams won the match's gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively.
Rowing is one of the contested sports in the PON XX National Games, and a total of 22 provinces have sent their delegates for the match.
The rowing race started on September 27, earlier than the Games' opening ceremony scheduled for October 2. A total of 40 gold medals are at stake in the race, with 15 gold medals for the kayaking match, 16 gold medals for the canoeing, and nine gold medals for the traditional boat races.
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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
