If you talk with Indonesians about the rising athletics star who has warmed hearts, sprinter Lalu Muhammad Zohri will come to their minds.
The teenager became the first from his country to win a medal at the under-20 IAAF championships by taking home a gold medal in the 100 meters and is bringing new track and field hope to the country.
The whole Indonesia's focus was on him with thousands of fans in the stadium chanting his name as the young sprinter was taking part in the biggest race of his career in the men's 100 meters at the ongoing Jakarta Asian Games. The 18-year-old eventually finished seventh in front of the home crowd as it's certainly not a bad for a first appearance at the Asian Games.
Lalu Muhammad Zohri of Indonesia in action with Xu Zhouzheng of China in the men’s 100m sprint in Jakarta. /VCG Photo
Zohri said after the race, "This is my first Asian Games, and I think I learned a lot from the competition. It’s a tremendous night for me especially when as the fans were calling my name. I will never forget this moment."
Zohri rose to fame in the Southeast Asian country one month ago when became the first Indonesian to win a medal at the under-20 IAAF championships by taking home a Gold medal in the 100 meters.
Before those championships, the young sprinter lived in a house made of wood and woven bamboo. He couldn't even afford shoes, which meant he had no other choice but to train barefoot. The death of his parents left him and his three elder to fend for themselves, but he doesn't want his sad story to define him. He wants to concentrate on being the best runner he can be.
Lalu Muhammad Zohri of Indonesia (C) celebrates after winning the final of the men's 100m at the IAAF World U20 Championships on July 11, 2018, in Tampere, Finland. /VCG Photo
"Every athlete has a story. I do have mine, but I would rather concentrate on my training and the competition so I can try my best at everything," Zohri added. He was labeled as a national hero for his efforts. He's recently met with President Joko Widodo and become part of a contingent of high performing Indonesian athletes in a program designed to make the country a more competitive player on the international athletics scene.
The gung-ho sprinter pledged to his countrymen, "I will work hard and try to earn more honors for my country."
Despite not appearing on the podium at these Asian games, the teenager, at such a young age still, will undoubtedly have more opportunities to shine on the international stage.