Indonesia’s First Olympic Gymnast Prepares for Paris

24-year-old Rifda Irfanaluthfi, hailing from Jakarta, Indonesia, began her journey in artistic gymnastics at the tender age of six. Recently, she achieved a significant milestone by becoming Indonesia’s first gymnast to qualify for the Olympics. Handpicked by Indonesia’s National Olympic Committee, Rifda will represent her country in women’s artistic gymnastics at the upcoming Paris Olympics, marking a groundbreaking moment in Indonesian sports history.

Rifda is scheduled to make her Olympic debut on July 28, 2024, at the prestigious Bercy Arena. Her participation is not just about personal achievement but also about showcasing Indonesian gymnastic talent on a global platform. Her coach, Eva Butar-Butar, a former gymnast herself, believes Rifda’s presence in Paris will revolutionize gymnastics in Indonesia, inspiring a new generation of athletes.

“This achievement is bigger than myself,” Rifda emphasized. “I want to inspire young athletes, especially those in sports that have yet to qualify for the Olympics. If I can do it, so can they.”

Ranked 52nd globally, Rifda’s path to professional gymnastics began when she switched from swimming at age six. Despite initial challenges, including her debut at the 2015 Doha World Cup, Rifda persevered in her quest for Olympic qualification, starting in 2015. Alongside her athletic pursuits, Rifda has also served as a civil servant at Indonesia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and was recognized as the 2019 Inspirational Student.

Looking ahead, Rifda plans to retire after the Paris Olympics to pursue a master’s degree and aims to become a gymnastics lecturer. Her sporting career includes participation in prestigious events such as the 2018 Asian Games, 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games, and multiple Southeast Asian Games from 2015 to 2021.

Rifda’s impressive list of achievements includes four gold medals at the SEA Games, three FIG World Cup medals, and a silver medal in floor exercises at the 2018 Asian Games. She also dominated the 2016 Indonesian Games with golds in all-around, vault, and floor exercises and was the sole medalist for Indonesia at the 2015 SEA Games.

Acknowledged for her excellence, Rifda has received numerous accolades, including the Jakarta province Council of Representatives’ sporting achievement award in 2019 and the AGF Trophy for the best women’s execution score at the 2023 Baku World Cup.

Rifda Irfanaluthfi’s journey embodies perseverance, dedication, and the pursuit of excellence. Her historic qualification for the Olympics not only celebrates her personal success but also elevates Indonesian gymnastics on the global stage, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of athletes.

Re-reported from the article originally published in She the People.