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BSP-14
ASIAD-2018-ATHLETICS-INA-HENDRO
‘This is Indonesia’: race-walker collapses after 50km of heat, smog
JAKARTA, Aug 30, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Indonesia’s Hendro said it was a
“miracle” to even finish the 50km race walk in Jakarta’s brutal pollution,
heat and humidity Thursday after he was carried from the finish line on a
stretcher.
Hendro collapsed after pounding the Indonesian capital’s smoggy streets for
more than four-and-a-half hours in 31 Celsius (88 Fahrenheit) heat to finish
last, in the Asian Games’ slowest 50km (31 miles) walk for nearly three
decades.
The air quality index in central Jakarta hit 163 on Thursday morning. A
reading of more than 150 is considered a health threat to the general
population.
After being doused in ice water by medics Hendro, 28, who like many
Indonesians goes by one name, was carried to the medical centre shouting
incoherently with pain.
“The race was so difficult — the hot weather, humidity, and not just the
humidity but the pollution,” he said after recovering. “Racing here is not
easy. This is Indonesia.”
“This is a miracle for me I can finish. This is a miracle,” he added.
Hayato Katsuki of Japan took gold with 4:03:30 — 23 minutes slower than
the last Asian Games — with a well-judged race, after making holes in his
vest to improve ventilation.
Fellow Japanese Satoshi Maruo set the pace for much of the way but fell
back in the final 10km, ending 10 minutes behind the winner and out of the
medals.
China’s Wang Qin took silver, and Joo Hyun-myeong of South Korea bronze. –
‘#WeBreatheTheSameAir’ –
“It was just so hot. The walkers in front went fast at the beginning but I
paced myself as I knew they would slow,” said Katsuki. “I was prepared. I
made cuts in my vest to help the air flow.”
The winning time was the slowest since the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing.
Three racers did not finish.
Hendro’s efforts drew the biggest cheers from the home crowd, applauding
his brave effort as he persevered long after any medal chance had vanished,
to finish in 4:32:20.
As well as finding it hard to breathe, he was battling an old ligament
injury in his right knee.
“It was so painful,” he said. “I was thinking — I must finish. This is my
first time in the 50km. I didn’t want to make my coach disappointed.
“I’m so proud of the fans… they came here to support me.”
But Hendro also called for future races to be shifted away from hazy
Jakarta to elsewhere in Indonesia’s Java island.
“There are no trees here, all buildings,” he said. “In the low altitude,
pollution and humidity, it is difficult for all Asians,” he said.
Two athletes were disqualified for illegal steps, while China’s Wang Riu
retired.
Jakarta’s air pollution came under fire earlier in the Games when activists
unfurled a giant banner showing a person wearing a gas mask and the message
“#WeBreatheTheSameAir”.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1140 hrs