A Career Built on Bronze — and Resilience

Irawan’s bronze in Thailand was his 12th medal at the Southeast Asian Games, a tournament where he has competed since 2007. But it’s his Olympic record that cements his legacy. With two silver and two bronze medals across five consecutive Games (Beijing 2008 to Tokyo 2020), he is Indonesia’s most decorated Olympian — a fact verified by the International Olympic Committee’s official records.

His journey to Olympic glory began in a minor village in Lampung, where he first lifted weights made from concrete and bamboo. By 2008, he was standing on the podium in Beijing, a 19-year-old bronze medalist in the 56kg category. Four years later in London, he upgraded to silver in the 62kg class, a feat he repeated in Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021) in the 61kg category. His consistency is unmatched: no other Indonesian athlete has medaled in five straight Olympics.

Yet for all his success, Irawan’s career has been defined by near-misses as much as victories. At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, he competed in the 67kg category — a weight class above his usual 61kg — to make room for younger lifters like Ricko Saputra. His final attempt at 175kg in the clean and jerk ended in failure, costing him a medal and breaking a streak of podium finishes at the Asian Games that stretched back to 2010. The moment, captured in a poignant report by Kompas, left him squatting on the platform, tears in his eyes.

“At that last lift, all I could think was: ‘Just do it.’ But the weight wouldn’t move. It was like my body was saying, ‘Enough.’”

— Eko Yuli Irawan, after his final attempt at the 2022 Asian Games

The House That Medals Built

For most athletes, Olympic medals are the pinnacle. For Irawan, they’re also a means to an conclude. In 2023, he began construction on a home in Metro, a project funded by his lifetime of earnings — a mix of prize money, government incentives, and sponsorships from brands like Antam and Bank Mandiri. The house, which he hopes to complete by 2027, is a symbol of stability for his wife, Masitah, and their two children.

“In Indonesia, even Olympic medals don’t guarantee financial security,” said Dr. Andi Malaranggeng, a sports economist at the University of Indonesia. “Athletes like Eko often retire with little more than their medals and memories. The government provides some support, but it’s rarely enough to build a future.”

Irawan’s story is a microcosm of the broader challenges facing Indonesian athletes. While the country has dominated weightlifting at the SEA Games — winning 10 golds in 2023 alone — the financial rewards for success are modest. A gold medal at the SEA Games nets an athlete around 500 million rupiah (approximately $31,000), while an Olympic gold brings 5 billion rupiah ($310,000). For bronze medalists like Irawan, the payouts are even smaller.

His decision to retain competing at 36 is as much about necessity as passion. “I don’t have a pension,” he said in a 2024 interview with Tempo. “Every competition is a chance to earn enough to keep building that house.”

What’s Next: Paris 2024 and Beyond

Irawan’s bronze at the 2025 SEA Games was a statement: he’s not done yet. His next target is the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, where he’ll compete in the 67kg category. But his ultimate goal remains the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles — a sixth Games that would make him the first Indonesian athlete to compete in six Olympics.

“I know my body isn’t what it used to be,” he admitted. “But weightlifting is as much about technique as strength. If I can stay healthy, I can still compete.”

His coach, Aveenash Pandoo, is cautiously optimistic. “Eko’s experience is his greatest asset. He knows how to peak at the right time, and he’s still one of the most technically sound lifters in the world.”

For now, Irawan is balancing training with construction work. “I train in the morning, then I go to the site in the afternoon,” he said. “It’s exhausting, but it keeps me grounded. Every brick I lay is a reminder of why I’m still lifting.”

Key Takeaways

• Five-Time Olympian: Eko Yuli Irawan is Indonesia’s most decorated Olympic athlete, with four medals (2 silver, 2 bronze) across five consecutive Games (2008–2020).
• SEA Games Bronze: His bronze in the 65kg category at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand was his 12th medal at the tournament.
• Financial Reality: Despite his success, Irawan is building his family’s home with prize money and sponsorships, highlighting the financial challenges faced by Indonesian athletes.
• Next Goals: He aims to compete in the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Olympics, which would make him the first Indonesian athlete to compete in six Olympics.
• Legacy: His career has spanned nearly two decades, during which he’s won medals at the Olympics, World Championships, Asian Games, and SEA Games.

FAQ

How many Olympic medals has Eko Yuli Irawan won?

Irawan has won four Olympic medals: two silver (London 2012, Tokyo 2020) and two bronze (Beijing 2008, Rio 2016). He is Indonesia’s most decorated Olympian.

What weight classes has he competed in?

Throughout his career, Irawan has competed in the 56kg, 61kg, 62kg, and 67kg categories. His most successful classes have been 61kg and 62kg.

Why is he still competing at 36?

Irawan continues to compete to fund the construction of his family’s home in Metro, Lampung. Prize money and sponsorships are critical for his financial stability post-retirement.

What happened at the 2022 Asian Games?

Irawan competed in the 67kg category — a weight class above his usual 61kg — to make room for younger lifters. He failed his final clean and jerk attempt at 175kg, ending his streak of Asian Games medals that began in 2010.

What’s next for Irawan?

His immediate goal is the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. He also aims to qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, which would make him the first Indonesian athlete to compete in six Olympics.

Eko Yuli Irawan’s Medal Record