A touching and appreciative moment marked the ceremony for awarding bonuses to SEA Games 2025 athletes at the State Palace on Thursday. President Prabowo Subianto personally handed over the bonuses to athlete representatives, but attention was focused on Martina Ayu, an athlete from the Triathlon and Duathlon sports, who appeared wearing a garland of five gold medals.

Martina Ayu dominated by winning a total of five gold medals (Women’s Individual Triathlon, Women’s/Mixed Aquathlon Relay, Women’s/Mixed Duathlon Relay) and two silver medals.

When Martina stepped forward, President Prabowo looked astonished. He carefully held and counted each of the gold medals hanging around Martina’s neck, then had a brief conversation with her.

The Minister of Youth and Sports, standing next to the President, also responded enthusiastically, “That’s a lot, Sir,” while pointing to the pile of medals.

Soaring Bonuses and the President’s Message

Recognition of the athletes’ hard work was realized through a significant increase in bonus amounts. For individual gold medalists, the bonus was doubled to Rp1 billion (from the previous Rp500 million).

Overall, Indonesia successfully brought home 91 gold medals from the 2025 SEA Games. The total bonus allocated by the government reached Rp465.25 billion.

In his speech, President Prabowo expressed his thanks and respect for the athletes’ sacrifices.

“This is an award for your sweat, for your hard work… to be an athlete chosen on the international stage, that requires even greater mental strength. A person without spirit cannot possibly perform at the international level,” said Prabowo.

The President advised that the bonuses received should be used wisely, especially for the future and to help parents.

A Birthday Gift Worth Rp3.4 Billion

This bonus presentation moment was even more special for Martina Ayu. The young athlete said she was overjoyed to receive a total bonus of Rp3.4 billion right on her 22nd birthday.

Martina revealed the content of her conversation with the President, who asked about her sport and the number of medals she won. She also promised to use the bonus funds as a future investment, to support higher achievements, and to dedicate it to her parents.

State Palace

The State Palace is a grand government building in Jakarta, Indonesia, serving as the official workplace of the President. Originally constructed in the early 19th century as the residence for Dutch merchant Jacob Andries van Braam, it was later acquired and expanded by the colonial government before becoming the central presidential palace after Indonesia’s independence in 1945.

SEA Games 2025

The SEA Games 2025 will be hosted by Thailand, primarily in Bangkok, marking the country’s seventh time hosting the regional multi-sport event. This edition continues the tradition of the Southeast Asian Games, which began in 1959, and aims to promote sports and unity among the 11 participating Southeast Asian nations.

Triathlon

A triathlon is not a specific place or cultural site, but an endurance multisport race consisting of swimming, cycling, and running in immediate succession. The modern triathlon’s history began in 1974 with the first organized event in San Diego, California, and it gained global prominence after becoming an Olympic sport in 2000 at the Sydney Games.

Duathlon

“Duathlon” is not a place or cultural site, but an athletic event consisting of a running, cycling, and then another running segment. It emerged in the 1980s, partly as an alternative to triathlon in colder climates where open-water swimming was impractical, and has since grown into a globally recognized multisport discipline with world championships.

Women’s Individual Triathlon

The Women’s Individual Triathlon is an Olympic event, not a physical place, that debuted at the 2000 Sydney Games. It combines swimming, cycling, and running in a single continuous race, evolving from the men’s triathlon which was first held in 1914 in France. Its inclusion marked a significant milestone for gender equality in the demanding multi-sport discipline.

Women’s/Mixed Aquathlon Relay

The Women’s/Mixed Aquathlon Relay is a modern competitive team event in the sport of aquathlon (swim-run), which gained prominence after being included in major multi-sport games like the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Its history is tied to the broader development of triathlon and its relay formats, designed to emphasize teamwork, speed, and spectator appeal in a fast-paced, mixed-gender competition.

Women’s/Mixed Duathlon Relay

The Women’s/Mixed Duathlon Relay is a modern competitive event in the sport of duathlon, which combines running and cycling in a team format. It was introduced to major multi-sport competitions like the World Games to promote dynamic, fast-paced racing and greater gender inclusivity in athletics.

Indonesia

Indonesia is a Southeast Asian archipelago nation comprising over 17,000 islands, whose history is marked by powerful Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms like Srivijaya and Majapahit, followed by centuries of Dutch colonial rule before gaining independence in 1945. Its rich cultural heritage is reflected in iconic sites such as the 9th-century Borobudur, the world’s largest Buddhist temple, and the ancient Hindu temple complex of Prambanan. Today, Indonesia is the world’s largest Muslim-majority country and is celebrated for its diverse traditions, arts, and natural landscapes like Bali and Komodo National Park.