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For the first time since the World Cup, Rahmat Erwin Abdullah is on a collision course with Rizki Juniansyah.
- The Details: The pair are set to perform at the 2025 World Weightlifting Championships in the newly minted 79KG division on Oct. 6.
Rahmat and Rizki are teammates. They've got one of weightlifting's most exhilarating moder nrivalries going, too—but are they friends?
That was one of many things we asked Rahmat in the final weeks before he travels to Forde, Norway, for this year's World Champs, which start on Oct. 2. As usual, you can catch all the action live on WLHOUSE TV.
Here's our converation with Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Rahmat Erwin Abdullah. As to the friendship question, Rahmat didn't say much, but we took his meaning:
"No comment."
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Weightlifting House x Rahmat Erwin Abdullah
Below, you'll find our exclusive interview with Rahmat. Note that portions of this interview have been lightly edited for clarity.
On the World Cup
"I'm fucked."
Weightlifting House (WH): At the World Cup, you sat on the stage steps before your final clean & jerk. What was going through your head?
Rahmat Erwin Abdullah (REA): "Oh shit. I'm fucked."
On a Weightlifting Family
"I used to eat bucketloads of ice cream."
WH: Both of your parents are retired weightlifters. What was it like growing up in their household?
REA: "I was very young when they introduced me to weightlifting. It was difficult, because they did not make much money from the sport, so I could not eat as much as I wanted.
At my first international competitions, I would eat as much as possible, including bucketloads of ice cream, since it was free."
On Lifting in Group B
"It was my father's idea."
WH: You sometimes compete in the B Group at international competitions. What's the logic behind this strategy?
REA: "It was my father's idea. I can't tell you too much more about it!"
On Lifting in Indonesia
"Not many people know me."
WH: How is your life in Indonesia as a professional weightlifter?
REA: "It's okay, not many people know me. I think I've only had two people ask me for a picture.
Support from the Indonesian government is pretty complete, but there is always room for improvement."
On Technique
"I'm not much of a thinker."
WH: What cues do you remind yourself of before attempting a heavy weight?
REA: "I don't try to think about much. I'm not much of a thinker."
On the World Weightlifting Championships
"I can only say that I will try my best."
WH: How do you feel about this World Champs? Do you think you can beat North Korea?
REA: "I can only say I will do my best. If I win, I will earn bonuses from my federation."
On Nutrition
"I do not count calories."
WH: How closely do you track or plan your nutrition?
REA: "I always plan what I eat, but I do not count my calories. My go-to meal is beef rendang and rice.
I love a soju, but it has many calories, so I cannot drink too often."
