One athlete, the eyes of the entire host nation will be on when he lines up for his event later this month, is Indonesian sprinter Lalu Muhammad Zuhri. The 18-year-old has become a household name in the country in a very short time, after winning gold in the 100 meters just three weeks ago, at the U-20 World Championships in Finland. Damion Jones has the story.

12 months ago, Lalu Muhammad Zohri could barely afford running shoes, and was pretty much unknown outside his small village on the island of Lombok. That all changed on the 11th of July, when the 18-year-old's 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.

LALU MUHAMMAD ZOHRI IAAF UNDER-20 CHAMPION • 100 METER DASH "It was beyond my imagination to be invited by the Government, the Ministers, and the President. I feel very proud and thankful to be invited by the Parliament, President, and Ministers. I'm very proud."

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

LALU MUHAMMAD ZOHRI INDONESIA SPRINTER "I think the Asian Games will be tough because the competition is tight, and I'm going against seniors who are more experienced, and can finish the race under 10 seconds."

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.

BAIQ FAZILAH ZOHRI'S SISTER "He didn't want to ask for too much help. He always keeps quiet, and only tells me what he needs after I ask, because he doesn't want to cause trouble for me, but I always try to provide for him the best I can, such as supporting him to study."

The success of this youngster whose parents both died several years ago, has inspired many Indonesians living below the poverty line, including fellow athletes, and serves as a reminder that rural areas boast plenty of talent.

BAYU KERTANEGARA INDONESIA SPRINTER "Zohri's victory has inspired others, not only those of us who are here, but also other athletes across Indonesia, making us want to become champions as well."

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