For Rifda Irfanaluthfi, the journey to the French capital wasn’t an easy one by any means. Compared to her international peers, the 24-year-old Jakarta native has had to push through tougher obstacles to reach the grandest stage of them all. However, as she begins her journey at the biggest sporting event of the year, the community can’t forget the immense hurdles she had to brave through to get her shot at golden glory.

In October last year, Rifda suffered a horrific knee injury while competing at the 2023 FIG World Championships. The very next day, she learned that surgery was necessary for her to recover from the same. The pressure was only accentuated by the accompanying news that her performance from the previous night ensured her ticket to the Paris Olympics as the first Indonesian gymnast to represent the country at the prestigious quadrennial event tournament. Understandably, her determination to reach the banks of the Seine demands appreciation.

Now, as Irfanaluthfi shows her mettle in the Uneven Bars at the 2024 Games, a post on X by GymCastic hails the gymnast for her resilience and mental stamina. “An incredible display of Olympic spirit by Rifda Irfanaluthfi; the first EVER Indonesian gymnast to make the Olympic Games,” the social media post salutes the grit showcased by the four-time SEA Games gold medalist.

Irfanaluthfi has been eyeing her place among the world’s best gymnasts for the longest time. In 2022, she told Antara in an interview, “I want to be the first gymastic athlete from Indonesia to appear at the Paris Olympics. I am committed to that”. And yet, injuries have never been too far away despite all the caution taken by the gymnast and her coaches, and the recent social media post only commends her fixation to keep running behind her goal despite all the adversities.

While has is currently placed in the 20th place after her 9.166 score on the UB, it’s difficult to give her a nod for being where she is. Along with her lingering knee trouble, it seemed to have affected her mental well-being as well. “I am also feeling worried because of injuries, it made me have insomnia for the last five days,” said Irfanaluthfi earlier this month in an interview with Sportstar. However, she has dreams that transcend beyond her individual self.

Rifda Irfanaluthfi’s dreams go beyond herself

“This is not for me alone. I want to motivate everyone, especially young athletes, not only for artistic gymnastics, but in other sports as well that have never qualified for the Olympics. I want to tell them if I can do it, then you can too,” glistened Rifda’s eyes as she explained why she was so vested in trying to overcome every hurdle to make it to the City of Love.

Even when she was being transported to the hospital after her injury last year, Irfanaluthfi noted her frantic state of mind, trying to know if her performance was good enough for the Paris Games. “I kept asking my manager, my coach and my friends. I texted them one by one to ask: Did I qualify? At the time I was crying, hugging my coach. My coach told me that finally our struggle from 2015 had become a reality,” the gymnast told Reuters in an interview, as she went on to assert why her struggle is so important to her: “I want to show the world that Indonesian gymnasts are there.”

However, without Rifda’s parents being there for her every step of the way, it probably wouldn’t be possible for Indonesia to have a gymnast at the 2024 Olympics. Rifda’s mother, Yulies Andriana, and father focused all their efforts on helping their daughter inch closer to materializing her dreams and they ensured the online bullying wouldn’t become a burden in her pursuit. Now, as Irfanaluthfi stands on the verge of history, how do you think she will walk away from the 2024 Games: as a victor or as the subdued? Tell us in the comments below.