The wrestler, popularly known as Roxana, is one of the two mainstay South Kalimantan athletes that are expected to secure gold medals in the PON.
"Alhamdulillah (Praise be to God), my body condition now is much better than the pre-PON period," she noted here on Friday.
Roxana will compete in the women's freestyle 76kg category.
This year would be the second time for Roxana to defend South Kalimantan, as the Romanian-born athlete had won a gold medal in the 2016 PON in West Java.
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The PON Papua will test the mettle of Roxana, who was born in Resita, Romania, on January 13, 1989. In her teen years, Roxana once was a Romanian national team athlete. At the European championships, she even won a gold medal for Romania.
During the pre-PON period, Roxana, who was officially naturalized as an Indonesian Citizen (WNI) on May 17, 2016, won a silver medal after losing to an East Java woman wrestler.
Roxana met her native Banjarmasin husband, who is also a wrestling athlete, and the couple have been blessed with a son. Roxana spoke of leaving no stone unturned to deliver a tougher fight until she wins a gold medal at the PON.
Taking into account that the wrestling sports branch will be contested on October 8, 2021, at the Futsal Dispora Sports Building at Merauke, Roxana has continued to bolster her strength under a special coach, who is her father-in-law, Indra Syafri.
With the discipline of training, Roxana is certain to bring a gold medal back for South Kalimantan despite having admitted that her upcoming opponents are also good athletes.
However, Roxana is keen to become an unbeaten wrestler in her discipline in her pursuit to bring pride to South Kalimantan that has become the home and place where her career bloomed.
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Loyal to South Kalimantan
Roxana not only belongs to the South Kalimantan contingent but is also part of the Indonesian Women's Wrestling national team.
She has also often brought pride to Indonesia. One of Roxana's achievements is her performance in the Asian Championship in the Philippines in 2013 when she won two gold medals for Indonesia.
Undoubtedly, on account of her achievements, several regional officials have tried to hire her, especially in major events, such as PON.
However, Roxana has insisted that she remains loyal to South Kalimantan, which is where she grew as an athlete.
Roxana was not swayed by the outstanding lure of benefits offered by several regions that had attempted to recruit her to compete under their names.
"Some had offered if I wanted to move, (and I would be) gifted a car, a house, and a big bonus. However, I think I already love South Kalimantan because here is my home and family," Roxana remarked.
Roxana is keen to continue to present the best to South Kalimantan in the national events as far as her strength permits.
Hence, Roxana confirmed to have not planned to retire after competing in the PON Papua. Instead, she intends to continue to prepare and match for the future PONs.
"Now that I am 32 years old, I can still participate in the next PON after PON Papua," Roxana pointed out.
Roxana admitted to having a fondness for wrestling ever since she was nine years of age, although she did not inherit the wrestling talent from her parents.
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Roxana revealed a story about her life in her hometown, Romania. As a child, she was known as a tomboy and liked to fight. This trait led her to wrestling sports where she was able to channel her talent.
Her life changed significantly when she came to Indonesia in 2012. She came here because of an invitation to become an opponent with the South Kalimantan wrestling team in a friendship match.
That was the moment that completely changed her life. Starting from the friendship match, Roxana developed a fondness for Banjarmasin.
It was Indra Satria Prakarsa, a South Kalimantan wrestling athlete, now her husband, who melted Roxana's heart.
Starting from a simple introduction on the wrestling mat, the love interest between the wrestling athletes bloomed ever since, as Roxana and Prakarsa decided to unite in marriage.
Not long thereafter, Roxana became a mainstay of South Kalimantan women's wrestling in several competitions, and she managed to deliver several achievements.
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At the PON Papua 2021, Roxana is one of the nine South Kalimantan athletes, who are targeting at least two gold medals in the wrestling branch.
The target was aimed lower than that in the 2016 West Java PON when the South Kalimantan team won four gold medals, three silver medals, and nine bronze medals.
However, two gold medals are the minimum target. It is not impossible for South Kalimantan to secure more than two gold medals. Nevertheless, it is certain that Roxana will desperately strive to present a gold medal for her home province, South Kalimantan.
PON Papua will be opened by President Joko Widodo on October 2 and will come to close on October 15.
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Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
