Breaking Barriers: Rifda Irfanaluthfi is set to make history as Indonesia’s first Olympic gymnast at the Paris 2024 Games. The 24-year-old athlete from Jakarta has already made a name for herself in Southeast Asia, and now she’s ready to take on the world stage.
Rifda’s journey began in the pool, initially taking up swimming before discovering her passion for gymnastics at the age of six. Over the years, she has become a dominant force in regional competitions, amassing 13 SEA Games medals—including four golds—and earning a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games.
Her qualification for the Paris Olympics is a testament to her dedication and resilience. At the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Belgium last year, Rifda showcased her all-around talents on the vault, floor, uneven bars, and balance beam. Despite a setback—a sharp landing on the uneven bars that required knee surgery—she has spent the past two years recovering and preparing for the Olympics.
Reflecting on her journey, Rifda admits to moments of self-doubt. “Sometimes I do compare myself to others. Other athletes are brilliant, and I’m not. I do still think like that sometimes,” she shared. “But I tell myself that I can do that too; I’m also capable. For this Olympics, my target isn’t a gold medal, so I should be more composed.”
Rifda’s story resonates with aspiring athletes and highlights the growing presence of Southeast Asian competitors on the global stage. As she gears up for Paris 2024, she carries the hopes of Indonesia and inspires a new generation of gymnasts in the region.
