RI Emerges As Overall Champion Of Asean Paragames 2014

Jakarta, Jan 20 (Antara) - Indonesia emerged overall champion of the 2014 ASEAN Paragames on Sunday, in Myanmar`s Nay Pyi Taw after topping the overall medal tally with 99 gold, 69 silver and 49 bronze medals to a total 217. "Thank God... Indonesia emerged as overall champion of ASEAN Paragames VII in Naw Pyi Taw, Myanmar, with 99 gold medals," Youth and Sports Minister Roy Suryo stated in a short text message early Monday. According to the official website of the ASEAN Paragames VII, Indonesia overtook defending champion Thailand which finished second with 96 gold, 82 silver and 70 bronze medals to a total 248. Malaysia followed third place with 50 gold, 49 silver and 41 bronze medals to a total 140, while Vietnam was fourth with 48 gold, 65 silver and 72 bronze medals to a total 185. Host Myanmar finished fifth with 34 gold, 26 silver and 36 bronze medals in a total 96, while the Philippines was sixth with 20 gold, 19 silver and 21 bronze medals to a total 60. Singapore was in the seventh place with seven gold, 10 silver and 10 bronze medals in a total 27, while Cambodia was eighth with three gold, four silver and two bronze medals to a total nine. Brunei which had two gold, three silver and seven bronze medals was in ninth place and Laos which had three silver and three bronze medals was in tenth place. The ASEAN Paragames is a biannual multi-sport event held after every Southeast Asian Games for ASEAN athletes with physical disabilities. The games have participation from 11 countries in Southeast Asia region. The Paragames, patterned after the Paralympic Games, are played by physically challenged athletes with mobility disabilities, visual disabilities, or are amputees and those with cerebral palsy. In the SEA Games 2013 in Myanmar, defending champion Indonesia had performed rather badly. It had finished fourth, with 65 gold, 84 silver and 111 bronze medals, a total of 260, a score far below overall champion Thailand who had won 107 gold, 94 silver, and 81 bronze medals for a total 282. "This triumph is the answer to our medal tally at the SEA Games XVII in Myanmar. We are not merely home champion. Indonesian can eventually emerge as winner. Thank you all," Roy remarked. Being overall champion of the 2014 ASEAN Paragames, Indonesian athletes with physical disabilities were able to compete with those of other countries.