Indonesian archer and Olympic silver medallist Kusuma Wardhani passed away on 12 November 2023 at the age of 59.
Wardhani (below right) along with her teammates Lilies Handayani (left) and Nurfitriyana Saiman (centre) finished second in the recurve women’s team event at Seoul 1988.
It was Indonesia’s first-ever medal at an Olympics in any sport. Indonesian archers have continued to represent the country at every edition of the Games since.
Wardhani also won multiple medals at the South East Asian Games, as well as the Asian Championships.
After retiring from competition, she continued to work in youth sports and as an archery coach.
A movie about the trio called 3 Heroines was released in 2016.
Along with her teammates from 1988, Wardhani participated in an award ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the Indonesian archery federation in July 2023.
She is survived by her daughter Amanda Fajriana, who is also an archer.
“I express my condolences for the death of Mrs Kusuma Wardani,” said Marciano Norman, chairman of the national sports committee, on 13 November.
“Thank you for your hard work which has made the nation and state proud through your achievements in archery at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.”
“Farewell, Indonesian sports patriot.”
Header image courtesy Indonesian national sports committee.
