Indonesia's Zohri prepares to sprint in Jakarta

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02:50

Indonesian sprinter Lalu Muhammad Zohri will become the focus of the entire host nation when he lines up for his event during the Asian Games later this month.

The 18-year-old has become a household name overnight in the country, after winning gold in the 100 meters just three weeks ago at the U-20 World Championships in Finland.

One year ago, Zohri could barely afford running shoes, and was pretty much unknown outside his small village on the island of Lombok. That all changed on July 11 when his blistering finish in the 100-meter dash resulted in a surprise victory at the IAAF Under-20 World Championships.

Indonesia's president, Joko Widodo, has since praised the youngster as a collective inspiration to the nation's athletes to achieve gold at the 2018 Asian Games, and personally ordered renovations to the sprinter's humble woven bamboo home.

Zohri competes in IAAF World U20 Championships, Tampere, 2018. /VCG Photo

Indonesia has never produced an U-20 finalist, let alone a world junior champion. Zohri has now embodied the hopes of more than 260 million people as his country prepares to host the continent's premier multi-sport competition.

Zohri has already become an icon in Karang Pangsor, where the sandy coastline served as his first training track, and a billboard celebrating his win now adorns the entrance to his home village.

He grew up with three siblings in a small house built from bamboo and wood, and did not own his first pair of running shoes until last year.

After earning an invitation to train with the national team in Jakarta, the teenager asked his sister for a loan of 400,000 rupiahs, roughly 28 US dollars, to buy some simple spikes.

Zohri on a podium after claiming a title in the 100m race at the World U20 Championships. /VCG Photo

The success of this youngster who lost both parents several years ago has inspired many Indonesians living below the poverty line, including fellow athletes. Zohri also serves as a reminder that rural areas could produce plenty of talent.

Zohri is playing down his chances of winning the 100-meter dash at the 18th edition of the Asian Games, saying that his primary focus was trying to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.