Harmony Keeps Sighted Guide, Blind Runner in Pace

The task of guiding a blind athlete is a challenge. In addition to a good running performance, a sighted guide must master the art of understanding the guided runner to create harmony between them.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Accompanying runner Guntur Wijanarko (right) accompanies the blind athlete Muhammad Dimas Ubaidillah competing in the men's 400 meter final of the T11 ASEAN Para Games 2022 classification at Manahan Stadium, Surakarta, Wednesday (3/8/2022). The role of the companion is very important in the T11 (total blind) and T12 (very poor vision) paralympic running numbers.

Bayu Aji Laksono was relieved after being able to lead visually impaired-sprinter Ni Made Arianti to win the women's 100-meter gold medal in the T12 event of the ASEAN Para Games Surakarta 2022. Arianti, whose left eye suffers total vision impairment and whose right eye allows blurred vision, had sustained a swelling blister on the left foot ahead of the competition. The athlete from Sukowati, Bali, still seemed to be enduring the effect of injury during her run. However, thanks to Bayu's support from her training camp with the national team, Arianti was able to finish the first win for her maiden gold at the multi-event sporting showcase featuring disabled athletes from the Southeast Asian region.

Arianti's injury to the back of the left foot was triggered by stress, due to her tying her shoelaces excessively tightly. The wound caused a blister to the foot, which forced her to stay away from training for three weeks. If she had, it was feared she might have failed to appear in the ASEAN Para Games.