As Thailand will host MotoGP for three years (2018-2020), AP Honda is taking this opportunity to invite Thais to support local riders Nakarin “Chip” Atiratphuvapat, the only Thai racer who will be attending the whole season of “Moto3 World Championship” and Somkiat “Kong” Chantra, the rising star that has been granted a wild card to compete in the same class in home race circuit.

In the upcoming MotoGP, Thai fans will have a glimpse at the world’s youngest champ Marc Marquez, from Honda Repsol Team, who now has an accumulated 201 points, leaving others 59 points behind. Marquez is racing to win his fifth championship at the MotoGP. The thrill of road racing will be held in front of the eyes of Thai fans at Chang International Circuit in Buri Ram from October 5-7.

​“Honda is number one in world motorsports industry, after having achieved more than 750 road racing World Grand Prix wins, since the beginning of the road racing and has also built a number of legendary racers. Under Honda Repsol Team right now is the four-time champ Marc Marquez from Spain who is not only the world’s youngest racer, but also accumulating the highest score and racing to win his fifth championship at Premiere Class MotoGP 2018. Preparing to host the world-class road racing competition in Thailand, A.P. Honda – the number one in Honda motorcycle in Thailand and the trendsetter in motorsports industry – aims to bridge the gap between Thai racers and the international arena, provide a chance for Thai fans to see the race first hand at home, and to help Thais understand “Race to the Dream” – the project that Honda hopes to pave the way for Thai racers to attend at Premiere Class in MotoGP in 2025,” stated Mr Yoichi Mizutani, President of A.P. Honda Co., Ltd.

​“Under the concept, Race to the Dream, the brand aims to build more Thai racers and send them to attend road racing competitions in world-class circuit, particularly “MotoGP” in 2025. We’ve a clear roadmap to achieve the goal, starting from Honda Academy Thailand which is established for racers aged between nine and 14 to learn and develop their riding techniques, and improve their physical strength before entering the first challenge in Honda Thailand Talent Cup. Between 15 and 20, rising stars will be selected to move forward and race in Asia Talent Cup, before being driven to the next level in CEV Moto3 Junior. These young talents will share the same ultimate goal which is to race in Moto3, Moto2, and MotoGP at World Grand Prix.

Currently, we have Nakarin “Chip” Atiratphuvapat, the only Thai racer to compete in “Moto3” class for two consecutive seasons. Meanwhile Somkiat “Kong” Chantra, the rising star who has been competing in many international circuits has just been granted a wild card to compete in the same class in home race at PTT Thailand Grand Prix 2018 in front of Thai fans.”

In Thailand’s first-ever MotoGP, Thai racers will also compete in the Moto3 World Championship that features rising racers from around the world in one race. The Thai racers are Nakarin “Chip” Atiratphuvapat who will be competing under Honda Asia Team in his second season in Number 41 and riding Honda NSF250RW. And this will be his first home-race competition. Meanwhile, Somkiat “Kong” Chantra, the rising star from A.P. Honda Racing Thailand in EIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship, has shone brightly in the second season at the race in Europe. He has been granted a wild card to compete in Moto3 World Championship under A.P. Honda Racing Thailand.

Moreover, Asia Talent Cup 2018, which is a part of the roadmap to pave a way for Thai racers to MotoGP 2025, has been included as a support race in PTT Thailand Grand Prix this year.  A.P. Honda will represent three Thai racers, who were successfully qualified in Thailand Talend Cup by Dorna Sport – world-class road racing organizer. The three racers are Nitipong “Ice” Saengsawang, Thatchakorn “Gonk” Buasri, and Kobchai “Champ” Liu.  The race by Dorna Sport – the holder of MotoGP copyright – aims to be an opportunity for racers aged under 19 years old around Asia to compete, share experience and learn from international racers from around the world, before improving themselves to enter the MotoGP in the future.

Christie sent the home crowd into raptures as he upset Taiwan’s sixth-ranked Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 20-22, 21-15 to become Indonesia’s first men’s singles champion since 2006, before ripping off his shirt in celebration.

The 20-year-old’s surprise win capped a memorable run for Indonesia’s men after Anthony Sinisuka Ginting knocked out world champion Kento Momota and Olympic gold-medallist Chen Long en route to bronze.

“I did not expect that I can win a gold at the Asian Games. Actually there are a lot of good players here and I never expected that I could come out as a winner,” said Christie.

Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, nicknamed the “Minions” owing to their stature, rounded off the party as they won an all-Indonesian final against Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto 13-21, 21-18, 24-22.

In a celebratory atmosphere at the badminton stadium, Sukamuljo and Gideon collapsed to the floor as their opponents’ final shot went wide to settle a tense final game.

Once-dominant China failed to win a singles badminton medal for the first time in 38 years, but otherwise it was another productive day for the Olympic heavyweights.

China passed 200 medals early in the day and they finished with four golds in track and field, including Xie Wenjun’s come-from-behind victory in the 110m hurdles.

Xie, 28, capitalised on a late stumble by Taiwan’s Chen Kuei-ru to claim China’s ninth straight win in the event, before revealing he had received “special instructions” from Chinese hurdling great Liu Xiang.

“Before the match, before I went to Europe, he gave me special instructions. I really thank him,” said Xie, who also won the sprint hurdles in 2014.

But it was Bahrain who took the honours in the Games’ inaugural mixed relay, a new venture which will feature at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. India were second, nearly four seconds behind.

“It’s the first time I’ve raced with girls!” said Bahrain’s Abbas Abbas.

As the dust settled on day 10, China were on 97 gold medals, more than double Japan’s 43, with South Korea on 32 and Indonesia on 24.

Indonesia’s Marcus Fernaldi Gideon (behind) and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (front) 

– Kurash, bang, wallop –

Earlier, Saudi Arabia ended their wait for their first gold medal of the Games when they won equestrian’s team jumping event.

Hong Kong’s former Olympic bronze medallist Sarah Lee Wai-sze successfully defended her keirin title, becoming the first woman to win four track cycling golds at the Asian Games.

China’s supreme table tennis players won their 10th women’s and men’s team golds as they kicked off their latest bid for a clean sweep of the sport.

Chinese 14-year-olds Zhang Jiaqi and Zhang Minjie — who was celebrating her birthday — became the 2018 Games’ youngest winners, in the women’s synchronised 10m platform.

Cao Yuan and Xie Siyi also won the men’s synchronised 10m platform as China extended its perfect record of winning both events five times out of five at the Asian Games.

After complaints over the judging in Monday’s pencak silat, in which Indonesian athletes won all six golds, Uzbekistan cleaned up in kurash, another martial art making its debut.

Maruf Gaybulloev had the honour of winning the first ever Asian Games gold in the Central Asian wrestling sport, quickly followed by compatriots Mukhsin Khisomiddinov and Gulnor Sulaymanova.

Meanwhile Malaysia, who won 145 golds at last year’s Southeast Asian Games on home soil, swelled their haul to four in Jakarta with a victory in sepak takraw, which is similar to volleyball but played with the feet.

The Wimbledon champion, playing his first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium since falling to Stan Wawrinka in the 2016 final, received a brutal welcome back as soaring temperatures and suffocating humidity prompted organizers to offer the men a 10-minute mid-match heat break for the first time ever.

“We both struggled. We were not the only ones today. Brutal conditions,” said Djokovic, who called for trainers who enveloped him in ice packed towels late in the second set.

“I had to find a way to dig myself out of the trouble.”

Until late in the third it was “survival mode” said Djokovic, who endured a rocky start to the season after elbow surgery before breaking through for a 13th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon.

His Cincinnati Masters victory over Roger Federer stamped him a US Open favorite along with defending champion Rafael Nadal, despite his modest sixth seeding.

Federer, the second seed, was to launch his quest for a sixth US Open title — and a first since 2008 — not under the blazing sun but under the floodlights on Ashe against Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.

He headlined a night session that also featured 2017 women’s runner-up Madison Keys taking on France’s Pauline Parmentier on Ashe, while over on Armstrong, Maria Sharapova launched her latest bid to revive her Grand Slam career against Switzerland’s Patty Schnyder, out of retirement and, at 39, the oldest player to qualify for a Grand Slam main draw.

Mercurial Australian Nick Kyrgios, the 30th seed, will be in action on Armstrong, taking on Moldova’s Radu Albot with a possible third-round meeting with Federer in the offing.

Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki played in the heat of the day, but the weather oppressing so many seemed to suit the Dane as she defeated 2011 champion Samantha Stosur 6-3, 6-2.

“I just tried to cool down between games, used ice,” said Wozniacki, who also imagined she was on the beach “margarita in hand”.

While Wozniacki got by with the help of eight double faults from Stosur and “trying to think cool thoughts,” for France’s Alize Cornet the steamy conditions were a “nightmare”.

Cornet wept as she sat courtside, telling doctors she felt ill amid her three-set loss to Johanna Larsson of Sweden.

With the women already taking advantage of a WTA recommended “heat break” prior to a third set, organizers decided Tuesday afternoon that the men would be afforded a similar 10-minute off court rest prior to a fourth set under an Extreme Heat Policy.

– ‘Magnificent feeling’ –

It wasn’t enough to prevent half a dozen retirements, with Italy’s Stefano Travaglia, Argentine Leonardo Mayer, Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis, Russian Mikhail Youzhny and Serbian Filip Krajinovic all victims of the heat and Romanian Marius Copil succumbing to an arm injury.

“I had heat stroke,” Mayer said of his decision to call it quits. “I was not going to die on the court, tennis is not for that.”

Djokovic called it “sad”.

“There’s so much cramping going on,” he said, noting that while it’s a player’s responsibility to be fit “there are some conditions that are so extreme that as fit as you are you can’t just not feel it.”

Although he appreciated the heat break, he wasn’t sure if organizers should go further and give up on the 25-second serve clock, newly introduced at the US Open to strictly monitor time players take between points.

“When a rule is implemented, it’s kind of hard to just switch the shot clock off just because the conditions are difficult and brutal,” Djokovic said.

Asian Games organizer Harry Warganegara confirmed at a press conference on Monday that South Korea broke two world records in archery on Aug. 21 and Aug. 22.

Chinese Taipei broke the world record in shooting’s trap mixed team on Aug. 21. The country also tied a world record when Yang K. scored 48 in the men’s trap finals on Aug. 20.

Chinese swimmer Liu Xiang broke the 50-meter backstroke record on Aug. 21, while Sohrab Moradi of Iran broke the world record in the men’s 94 kilogram in weightlifting on Aug. 25.

Meanwhile, three Asian records have been set in shooting, swimming and weightlifting while five Asian Games records were broken in archery, athletics, shooting, swimming and weightlifting.

At the presser, Harry also commented on the importance of athlete safety at the Games. He discussed incidents in paragliding that injured three athletes – one from Afghanistan, one from China and one from Japan – on Aug. 23.

“We handled the accidents fast by taking the injured athletes to Gatot Subroto hospital via our medical helicopter and ambulance. The condition of the injured Afghanistan athlete has been improving, while the ones from China and Japan have returned to their respective countries,” Harry said. (nkn)

The FAT’s decision was no surprise as Worrawoot had been under intense pressure after Thailand were eliminated from the Games without a win from three games.

The team had been expected to reach the semi-finals, which they did four years ago in Incheon, but their failure to do so sparked widespread demands by angry fans on social media for Worrawoot to pay the price.

Somyot said he had met with Worrawoot on Friday, when he was asked to evaluate the Games campaign.

“He came to me on Friday to ask for the chance to improve his work,” said Somyot.

“After careful consideration, he had shown no results which made it unable for us to give him our trust any longer.

“It was necessary to ask him to stop his work with immediate effect. We thank him and his staff members for putting in a great effort. ”

Thailand, a three time Games semi-finalists, drew with Qatar and Bangladesh before losing to Kazakhstan, a result that confirmed their failure to qualify for the round of 16.

The FAT boss also called for a major reshuffle in the FAT’s approach to the coaching at the highest level. He said he haad already started negotiations with the Asian Football Federation to find a full-time football director for Thailand.

The priority for the football director would be to prepare the national team for the AFF Suzuki Cup from November 8 to December 15 and the Asian Cup from January 5 to February 1 next year.

The director will also have to supervise the coaching of the under-16 and under-19 teams to prepare them for the Asian Championships in September and October respectively.

Current Technical Director Witthaya Laohakul is likely to be impacted by the appointment of a new football director.

On a sluggish day that only one medal, a silver, was won by a Thai athlete (Chayanisa Chomchuendee in women’s pole vault), the Kingdom’s boxers remained on track to scoop the golds they targeted before the competition.

Chayanisa Chomchuendee 

It started with 21-year-old Rujakran Juntrong easing past Farrand Papendang of Indonesia 5-0 in the men’s lightweight division.

Sudaporn Seesondee then beat Rimma Volossenko of Kazakhstan 4-1 in the women’s lightweight and Yuttapong Tongdee completed the hat-trick of successes with a 3-2 win over Gan-Erdene Gankhuyag of Mongolia in the men’s flyweight.

“I’m quite happy with my performance considering it’s my first time in the Asian Games,” said the young Rujakran, who will take on Uzbek Shunkor Abdurasulov in the semi-final on Friday.

“My goal is now to win the gold. I have no fear against any rival right now. But I have to get physically tougher for my next bout.”

2014 World Championships bronze medallist Sudaporn was delighted with her first Asian Games medal – but she isn’t settling for bronze.

“We didn’t come here for the bronze – the gold medal is what our association set its sights on. I was under great pressure before the fight but it is a load off [my shoulders] now,” said the 26-year-old from Nakhon Ratchasima. She will face Huswatun Hasanah of Indonesia on Friday.

Later in the evening, Saylom Ardee reached his first ever Games semi-final following a 5-0 win over Iranian Sajjad Kazemzadeh Poshtiri in men’s welterweight before Nilawan Techasuep became the fifth Thai boxer on the day to reach the final four stage after she beat Saniya Sultankyzy of Kazakhstan 3-2 in women’s featherweight.

Two Games favourites – Chatchai Butdee and Wuttichai Masuk – are in action today. 2015 Asian Championships gold medallist Chatchai meets North Korea’s Jo Hyo Nam in a bantamweight bout at 2pm and light welterweight champion Wuttichai follows against Bekdaulet Ibragimov of Kazakhstan at 6.30pm.

Meawnhile in men’s hockey, Thailand beat Kazakhstan 3-2 to reach the second round, while the  women’s basketball team beat Mongolia 80-51 in the fifth-eighth placed classification 5-8.

In women’s sepak takraw quadrant preliminary Group B, Thailand ousted Malaysia 2-0.

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, Iran Diaz, as well as ONE Championship athletes Rika “Tinydoll” Ishige, Sagetdao “Deadly Star” Petpayathai and Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai took part in the ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES Open Workout at Nakornloung Promotion Gym in Bangkok on Tuesday.

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai is one of the most celebrated pugilists in Thailand’s history, winning the prestigious WBC Super Flyweight World Title on two occasions. Holding a professional record of 46-4-1 with 41 knockouts, Sor Rungvisai is ranked No. 5 on the pound-for-pound best boxers list of Boxrec.com and No. 7 on The Ring Magazine’s rankings. After regaining the WBC Super Flyweight World Title in March 2017 and then successfully defending it two times, Sor Rungvisai will now defend his WBC World Title in ONE Championship’s historical event in Thailand, ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES.

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, WBC Super Flyweight World Champion, stated:

“Thank you all for coming out here today. I am truly grateful for all the support you have shown throughout my career. To be able to represent my country in this sport is a privilege and I will do everything in my power to make my people, my fans proud. Iran Diaz is a worthy opponent. He is strong and determined. But I am confident in my skills and I will bring victory back home. Defending my title in front of my home crowd is very important to me, and I thank ONE Championship for giving me the opportunity. I am proud to showcase the Thai warrior spirit and prove to the world that we are among the very best.”

“Performing in Bangkok in front of all the Thai fans, I feel invigorated. This is a huge development in my career and I feel that ONE Championship can help me bring world-class boxing back home to Thailand. I am honored to be in this position and I know millions of fans will be watching, which is why I have to give my best performance. Right now I am in the best condition of my career and I am deep in training so that I can give a good performance on October 6. This is going to be a very exciting fight. See you all at the Impact Arena. I can’t wait to climb into the ring again and showcase my talent in front of the whole world.”

Iran “MagnifiKO” Diaz of Sonora, Mexico is one of the fastest rising talents in Mexican boxing. Born and raised in a country known for its passionate love for pugilism, Diaz holds a professional  record of 14-2-3, with 6 knockouts to his name. His most notable victories have come over dangerous former World Champions Hernan “Tyson” Marquez and Luis Concepcion. Recently, Diaz is a winner of three of his last five contests, and is riding a wave of momentum heading into his next bout. The hard-hitting Diaz will face Srisaket Sor Rungvisai for the WBC Super Flyweight World Title at ONE: KINGDOM OF HEROES.

Iran Diaz, World Title Challenger, stated:

“This opportunity is a big one for me in my career. I am facing one of the toughest boxers in the world now, pound-for-pound. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai is aggressive and strong, but so am I. Mexican boxers are the best in the sport. It’s in our blood and I am proud to represent my country here on the global stage. This is without a doubt the biggest fight in my time as a professional. I have a great team behind me helping me prepare for this. I am coming into the ring in the best shape of my life and I can’t wait to score this huge victory.”

“I believe I have enough experience and technical knowledge to deal with his particular style. I have faced very strong opponents in the past and I know how to deal with adversity. I am no stranger being the underdog. But everytime I fight, I win over new fans and I prove that I can hang with the best. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai is one of the biggest stars in boxing today, and if I can beat him, it will be great for my career. Right now, I’ll return home to continue sharpening my skills for the big fight. I’m working very hard with my team to score this huge upset. I am ready to shock the world on October 6.”

Rika “Tinydoll” Ishige is a 29-year-old female atomweight from Thailand who trains out of Tiger Muay Thai and Bangkok Fight Lab. She is of mixed Japanese and Thai heritage, beginning her martial arts training at age 9 with aikido and taekwondo. Heavily influenced by her late father who trained in judo, Ishige went on to hone her skills as a martial artist, and turned professional earlier this year. All of Ishige’s victories have ended via impressive finish, showcasing her high-level grappling skills. She is currently one of the most popular martial artists in Thailand and in Asia.

Rika Ishige, ONE Athlete, stated:

“Thank you everyone for coming here today. It is truly an honor for me. Being able to perform at home here in Bangkok, I have been extremely fortunate. Right now, martial arts is at a peak high in Thailand, and it’s all thanks to the amazing work we have put in over the past few years. ONE Championship has really focused on highlighting the beauty of Thai martial arts. It is my honor to help represent the women in this sport. I know I have a lot to work on with my skills, but I am hitting the gym hard everyday and I feel I have improved greatly as a martial artist. I can’t wait to show everyone what I have been doing.”

Sagetdao “Deadly Star” Petpayathai is 31-year-old a Muay Thai specialist and a four-time Lumpinee Stadium champion who has won every major title in Muay Thai. Voted by Thai media as one of the greatest Muay Thai practitioners in history, Sagetdao is known for his highly technical knowledge in all of Muay Thai’s varied techniques. Concluding his Muay Thai career with a record of 162-62-1, Sagetdao transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2017, acing his first three bouts with flying colors.

Sagetdao Petpayathai, ONE Athlete, stated:

“This is a great opportunity for me to redeem myself. My last performance, I wasn’t at my best and I feel I wasn’t able to showcase what I can really do in there. Now, the focus has been on sharpening my talent and making sure I learn from my mistakes in my last bout. ONE Championship is rich with talent and there are a lot of tough opponents to face in my division. I know I have to be in the best shape of my life each time out. To be able to showcase the beauty of my discipline, and combine it with the new skills I have learned in the cage, it’s a rebirth for me as a fighter. In my next bout, I hope to show everyone that I will just keep getting better with experience. My goal here is to become one of the very best. Thank you all for the support.”

Hailing from Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand’s northern Isan region, Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai has already defeated some of the biggest names in Muay Thai, earning multiple accolades in the process. Spurred by his success and proven talent, Petchmorrakot went on to claim the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium World Championship in two divisions, as well as the WMC Muay Thai title, in a career spanning almost 200 professional bouts.

Petchmorrakot Wor. Sangprapai, ONE Athlete, stated:

“For the first time in history, the best of the best from different combat sports will join together on 6 October. I am excited for this, especially for Muay Thai. I am ready to take this next step into my career. This is a chance for me to showcase my skills to the world and to show fans the beauty of Muay Thai. You can say that I’ve done it all in the sport, but it’s not yet over for me. I am still grinding everyday. ONE Super Series is the right path for me and my professional career. The desire to compete, it’s still in me. I am glad that I was able to make a ONE Super Series debut earlier this year because it has already given me the feel of what the future holds. It’s a great opportunity for every practitioner of Muay Thai.”

 I’m always living in a fantasy world. I always wanted to be a superhero, and it’s kind of my way of being a superhero. I feel like a superhero when I wear it.”

While we were all admiring her suit, the French Tennis Federation was not into it and banned Serena from wearing similar suits based on the new dress code.

Read : French Open to ban Serena’s ‘Black Panther’ catsuit

“I think that sometimes we’ve gone too far,” said the federation’s president Bernard Giudicelli. “It will no longer be accepted. One must respect the game and the place.”

In response, Nike posted the words “You can take the superhero out of her costume, but you can never take away her superpowers,” on a photo of Serena mid-game. Simple, but powerful.

Serena also responded to the new dress code: “When it comes to fashion, you don’t want to be a repeat offender. I think that obviously the Grand Slams have a right to do what they want to do. I feel like if and when, or if they know that some things are for health reasons, then there’s no way that they wouldn’t be okay with it. So I think it’s fine.”

The group, consisting of Bambang and Bert Toar Polii, Frangky Karwur and Jemmy Bojoh, as well as Conny Sumampauw and Rury Andhani were beaten by a Chinese team in Kemayoran, Jakarta, on Sunday.

The presence of Bambang in the Games was all over the internet as soon as it was revealed some days ago that he would be competing. Bambang, the owner of multinational tobacco company Djarum, is the oldest member of Team Indonesia. Bambang also owns more than 25 percent of publicly traded Bank Central Asia (BCA), according to Forbes.

“If you want to be a good businessman or a good leader, then play bridge,” Bambang, 78, shared his wisdom with the press on the sidelines of a preliminary round game in the super mixed category.

Bambang, who tops the Forbes’ Indonesia rich list with a net worth of around US$11.2 billion, revealed that he started to play bridge when he was 6 years old after seeing his uncle playing the card game.

Years later, Bambang decided to take the sport seriously. He believes the sport has no age barrier and it also helps him in running his businesses.

“Bridge is a game of decision-making, just like business,” said Bambang. “You gather information, analyze it and make a decision.”

Powerful people in the world of business, including Microsoft founder Bill Gates and billionaire Warren Buffet reportedly play bridge.

Besides playing the game himself, Bambang said he had also opened a special school for bridge players. The school is similar to his Djarum badminton club.

Bambang claimed the two schools had greatly supported Team Indonesia at the Games.

“[I’m] not stopping right there [in bridge] as I am also trying to include the sport in the school extracurricular program, starting from elementary level,” he added.

Bambang believes the sport is not only for old people. He takes China as a perfect example as it has a successful junior team with members aged 13.5 years old on average. China is the strongest competitor for Indonesia in the Games in Jakarta.

At the Games, Bambang is paired with Bert Toar Polii in the super mixed category.

Along with 24 other bridge players in the Indonesian squad, the pair has its sights on two gold medals out of a total of six up for grabs in the men’s team, mixed team, super mixed team, men’s pairs, women’s pairs and mixed pairs.

Bert, who is 14 years younger than Bambang, said that he became Bambang’s partner three years ago after the latter’s initial partner was unavailable because of sickness. At first, Bert was set to be Bambang’s coach.

“It is harder to find a bridge partner than it is to find a life partner. [In bridge] we have to think and feel in common,” said Bert. “We’re an aggressive pair.”

When asked about Bambang’s special characteristics in bridge, the civil engineer said his partner was truly a thinker, which he believes could be a double-edged-sword.

“In some cases we were penalized as he was thinking for too long,” Bert said with a laugh.

Bert added that he and Bambang had spent almost every day preparing for the Games. They usually train two hours per day on weekdays, and five hours per day on weekends.

As a pair, Bambang and Bert’s best achievement is a fifth-place finish in the senior open team category at the World Bridge Series Championships in China in 2014.

Indonesia’s highest achievement in the sport is winning four gold medals in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.

Bridge is a new sport in the Games. It is expected to be played at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.