A Spark of Optimism for Swimming Ahead of the 2025 Thailand SEA Games

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The Indonesian swimming team has designated the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 and the Indonesia Open Aquatic Championship 2025 as their final trials ahead of the SEA Games Thailand 2025. Their performance, which is still within the time records needed to secure medals, sparks optimism to at least maintain three gold medals.

A total of 22 swimmers are projected to compete in the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. Eight swimmers from the national training center will participate in the final trial at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 8 to 12. Meanwhile, other swimmers training domestically will compete in the Indonesia Open Aquatic Championship 2025 at the Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, from November 11 to 14.

From the Islamic Solidarity Games, Indonesian swimmers brought home one gold medal, five silver medals, and six bronze medals. They ensured that all competing athletes returned with medals. This achievement also surpassed the results of the previous edition of the Islamic Solidarity Games in Konya 2022, where they secured two silver medals and twelve bronze medals.

The gold medal was won by Adellia in the women's 200 meter breaststroke event. Adellia finished with a time of 2 minutes 32.24 seconds, surpassing Turkish swimmer Pinar Donmez (2:32.91 seconds) and Lebanon's representative Lynn El Hajj (2:33.93 seconds).

"From the beginning, I did not set any targets because my body was not in optimal condition and the journey to the pool took almost two hours. I just tried to enjoy the competition and give my best," said Adellia.

The head coach of the Indonesian swimming team, Albert Christiandi Sutanto, also stated that the gold medal from Adelia was actually unexpected. Based on her performance and time records during training, the coaching team predicted that Flairene Candrea would win the gold medal. However, Adelia performed with greater calmness and confidence.

Adellia's performance also serves as a positive signal leading up to the SEA Games in Thailand 2025. Moreover, the results from the Islamic Solidarity Games will be the final consideration in determining the final squad of the Indonesian swimming team for Thailand.

"Adellia has shown great potential since the 100-meter breaststroke, just lacking a bit of luck. In the 200-meter event, Adellia proved herself with an outstanding performance. This is a positive signal heading into the SEA Games and other major events to come," said Albert.

The silver medals were awarded to the mixed relay team in the freestyle 4×100 meters, the mixed relay team in the medley 4×100 meters, the women's relay team in the medley 4×100 meters, Azzahra Permatahani (200 meters medley), and Adellia (100 meters breaststroke).

The bronze medals were won by Nadia Aisha Nurzami (50 meters freestyle), Flairene Candrea (100 meters backstroke and 50 meters backstroke), Jason Donovan (50 meters backstroke), the men's 4×100 meters medley relay team, and the women's 4×100 meters freestyle relay team.

Meanwhile, the national training swimmers competing in the Indonesia Open Aquatic Championship 2025 also displayed good performance. In addition to the veteran swimmer I Gede Siman Sudartawa (31), the other swimmers are young athletes such as Adelia Chantika (14) and Arya Adrean Putra Haryono (18).

Both Chantika and Arya succeeded in breaking national records. Chantika improved the national record for age group 2 from 29.34 seconds to 29.28 seconds in the women's 50-meter backstroke event. Arya also enhanced his own national record from 1 minute 3.12 seconds to 1 minute 2.54 seconds in the men's 100-meter breaststroke event.

According to the coach of the Indonesian swimming team, Felix C Sutanto, Arya is one of the swimmers who has shown a significant performance increase at the Indonesia Open Aquatic Championship 2025. Similar to the swimmers at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025, the results of Indonesian swimmers at the Indonesia Open Aquatic Championship 2025 also indicate positive signals ahead of the SEA Games, with recorded times and performances still within the range to achieve medals.

Felix stated that the Indonesian swimming team aims to at least maintain three gold medals at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand. At the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, three gold medals were contributed by swimming through Siman Sudartawa (50 meters backstroke men's), Felix Iberle (50 meters breaststroke men's), and Masniari Wolf (50 meters backstroke women's).

Observing the performance of his protégés, Felix is optimistic about the targets set. "In fact, all the athletes projected for the SEA Games have the potential to bring home medals. Whether they are senior swimmers or those with experience in the SEA Games, as well as young debutant swimmers," said Felix.

Before the trials at the Islamic Solidarity Games and the Indonesia Open Aquatic Championship, the swimming team also participated in the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain and the 2025 Tokyo Swimming Center Open. At the Asian Youth Games, the swimming team brought home two silver medals and three bronze medals. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, the swimming team secured one gold and one silver medal.

Felix added that there are actually 24 potential swimmers for the upcoming SEA Games. However, the quota provided by the government and the Indonesian Olympic Committee is only 22 athletes, which requires the coaching team to conduct a strict selection process, including reviewing the results from the final trials to determine the final squad.

"However, we are also striving to obtain an additional quota so that 24 swimmers can depart. The goal is to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to perform and showcase their skills, especially young athletes who need experience," said Felix.