Weightlifter Deni said he is planning to return home to Bogor, West Java to focus on becoming a weightlifting coach after declaring his retirement at the 20th PON at Papua.

“At home, I (want) to build a small training ground so that weightlifting becomes more popular and to the same degree as badminton and football,” Deni told Antara at the auditorium of Cenderawasih University, Jayapura district on Friday.

Deni, who competed in the men’s 67-kg event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has pioneered a career as a weightlifting coach by opening training classes in Bogor.

He said he has decided to retire after feeling satisfied with the silver medal he won at the 26th SEA Games.

He recorded a snatch of 143 kg and clean and jerk of 172kg at the event. “Those are my highest achievements,” he said.

His removing his shoes on the stage during the men’s 67-kg event at PON Papua marked the conclusion of his career as a lifter, he added.

He made the decision to retire after competing with Olympics weightlifters Eko Yuli Irawan (East Java) and Triyatno (East Kalimantan) on Wednesday (October 6, 2021) at PON Papua.

Deni, who represented Bengkulu, had to settle for a bronze medal after lifting a total weight of 303kg (137kg in snatch and 166kg in clean and jerk).

He said a muscle injury on his right leg, which he believes would take long to recover, was another factor that motivated him to retire.

“I am done! Let it speak. I noticed an injury to my right leg even before I participated in the Olympics,” Deni said after competing in the PON Papua final.

He complained of persistent leg pain, saying it spread to the joints. “It is like being electrocuted,” he added.

He said the injury caused him to buckle on stage after lifting a 166kg barbell in the clean and jerk discipline.

“The coach said, whatever happens at the third lift even to the point of sprawling, I have to fight it,” he remarked.

Source: Antara News