AISAH Windy Cantika

General
TOKYO BRONZE
She was still training and competing at junior level when she began her quest to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games. She ended up winning bronze in the women's 49kg category at the Games in Tokyo. "I never thought I would be projected to qualify for the 2020 Olympic Games. I was 16 years old when the coach gave me the target to qualify. My quest began at the 2019 Asian Championships. In the beginning it was hard to adjust, knowing that I was 'a newborn' surrounded by experienced seniors. But I was grateful that my coaches and fellow senior lifters were all very supportive. They guided me through the whole process. Everyone was assigned with a target, but I'm focused on my own, not the numbers. I don't want to be burdened and stressed by my competitors results." (antaranews, 17 Sep 2021; cnnindonesia, 25 Mar 2020)

EARLY DAYS
Her parents initially planned to enrol her in a medical school but her junior high school coach encouraged her to pursue weightlifting. "Actually I was going to be sent to a medical school. When I was in junior high, my parents asked my coach about my future in weightlifting, and basically the coach told my parents I shouldn't abandon the sport because I had the potential to shine. In the end, my parents let me pursue weightlifting." (bola, 02 Aug 2021)