The Men's marathon event opened here today, marking the start of tough competitions of the 18th Asian Games' athletics that will last for six days, to vie for 48 gold medals.
On the first day of this branch of sports, four gold medals were contested in the final rounds of the men's marathon, women's hammer throw, women's 10,000 m, and men's shot put categories.
Indonesia's struggle for a medal relied on Agus Prayogo, who competed with 20 other athletes of 12 countries, including North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan, Nepal, Bahrain, and Thailand, in the men's marathon.
"I am aware of a very tough competition in the men's marathon event, and I will do my best," said Agus Prayogo, who currently works for the Indonesian Defence Forces and possesses a marathon record of 2:21:09.
For the sake of the 18th Asian Games, he had conducted an intensive training for several months, at the mountainous area of Pengalengan, in Bandung District, West Java Province.
"I am ready. I will try my best to gain the best achievement," he said. The toughest rivals of this Indonesian runner are Hiroto Inoue and Hayato Sonoda of Japan, as well as, the runners of Mongolia, China, North Korea, and South Korea.
Besides athletics, two other branches of sports, also offering the gold medals today (Saturday), were Karate (four gold medals) and canoe/kayak sprint (two gold medals).
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK
