West Papua is famous for its natural beauty, from Raja Ampat to gospel destinations. However, that is not the only thing this place is worth for.
While Indonesia usually participates in both national and international sports competitions, many of the athletes come from Papua. Their achievements are not disappointing at all, for sure.
So, here are Papua’s athletes from time to time who have contributed to Indonesia’s achievement in sports.
Lisa Rumbewas
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Lisa Rumbewas is one of the women in Papua who has won a silver medal in three consecutive prestigious events in weightlifting: the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 200d Athena Olympics, and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Back then in Sydney and Beijing, Lisa Rumbewas won the bronze medal but her competitor was proven to take doping. This lady made Indonesia once again stand on the podium.
Other than in Olympics, Lisa Rumbewas brought home a silver medal in the 2006 world champion event and a bronze medal in 2002 Busan. This lady is the daughter of one of the best weightlifters in Indonesia. Both her parents were.
Franklin Ramses Burumi
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In the 2011 SEA Games, which took place in Palembang, Franklin Ramses Burumi was not a seeded player. However, this artificial has a marvelous record on three sectors: 100 meters, 200 meters, and estafet.
Of course, his achievement makes Franklin Ramses Burumi get lots of attention from anyone. He is one of the most humble sprinters and his sense of humor is quite something – you can look at his unique hairstyle, after all.
Boaz Solossa
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Boaz Theofilius Erwin Solossa is a senior soccer player from Papua. This man is one of the best soccer players Indonesia has ever had.
Even though the Indonesian team didn’t achieve any title in the world’s events with Boaz, his exceptional performance in the world champion qualification deserves a standing ovation. It was Boaz’s debut for the Indonesian national team.
Other than that, he played well in the 2004 Tiger Cup. During his early professional career with the Indonesian national team, Boaz played astonishingly with Ilham Jaya Kesuma.
Boaz Solossa is just one of Indonesia’s players with exceptional skills. After his lively era, several of his juniors also followed his footsteps – even though no one could beat his genius on court. Boaz’s skills in soccer are like a gift, and he can nail them perfectly.
Nitya Krishinda Maheswari Korwa
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Nitya Maheswari was one of the best Indonesian badminton players on double specialist. She got her highest BWF rank with Greysia Polii and brought home a gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games.
Of course, that is not the only achievement she got. But today, she didn’t play badminton anymore after a severe injury which forced her to undergo a surgery after her last Olympics. Still, Nitya Maheswari is one the best badminton players Indonesia ever have.
Nesthy Stella Iriani Pedai
Nesthy Stella Iriani Pedai is a young lady from Papua who achieved a gold medal for wall climbing in the 2021 PON XX which took place in Papua. This young lady has had a strong interest in wall climbing since she was little.
This is why Nesthy gave this sport a real shot by intensively training herself since 2019. And of course, her hard work paid off with her achievement.
Summarize
More than anything, Papua never fails to impress anyone. From its natural beauty granted by mother nature to the achievements of Papua’s athletes, it seems like this island has everything.
Some names on the list above might be born in other cities in Indonesia. But they indeed have the thick blood of Papua, which makes them stand out in the crowd.
