RADAR TULUNGAGUNG – Tulungagung triathlete Binta Erlen Salsabela represented Indonesia at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, clinching one gold and one silver medal at Southeast Asia’s most prestigious multi-sport event.
However, before reaching this milestone, she had to endure a highly constrained training regimen in her hometown.
Despite winning gold in the Women’s Aquathlon Team Relay and silver in the Women’s Triathlon Team Relay, Binta’s journey to the top of the Southeast Asian podium was far from simple.
The 21-year-old athlete had to clear a series of rigorous national-level selections.
From national championships to physically and mentally exhausting trials to determine the roster for each event, her success in joining the national team carried the weight of breaking the dominance of neighboring nations.
The Third-Semester Undergraduate Student at the State University of Surabaya (UNESA) revealed that her toughest competition came from Filipino athletes.
“There was intense competition with the Philippines, as they have been overall champions in the SEA Games multiple times. Alhamdulillah, our goal for Indonesia to become the overall champion in the triathlon discipline was achieved,” she recalled.
Prior to departing for Thailand, Binta and her teammates underwent a three-month centralized training camp in Bangka Belitung.
This extended duration was specifically intended to acclimate to the high temperatures characteristic of the competition venue.
The challenges were not limited to her opponents; her own physical condition posed a threat.
Shortly before her departure, she was plagued by a left knee injury, though she ultimately overcame it in time.
“Just before leaving for the competition, I suffered an injury to my left knee. But Alhamdulillah, it improved and went smoothly. On the day of the event, everything was made easier,” she added.
Despite her status as an international medalist, Binta remains grounded.
She admitted that while residing in Tulungagung, she must be resourceful to maintain an optimal training schedule.
The lack of professional sports facilities in her home region forces her to share training spaces with the general public.
“The facilities are there, but I have to share them with the public. I hope for better support regarding facilities, especially for more gym equipment,” she remarked.
Infrastructural conditions remain a classic hurdle for local athletes striving for excellence.
For a triathlete who relies on three disciplines simultaneously, the quality of the asphalt and running tracks is paramount.
She also expressed her hope for more structured development, supported by proper facilities for athletes being prepared for provincial and national levels.
“What needs to be improved, I hope, is support through facilitated equipment and development for athletes representing Tulungagung, the province, and beyond. For running, we need national-standard tracks; for cycling, we need improved asphalt quality in certain areas,” she concluded. (*/c1/rka)