Hey, peops! Your favorite snow-chaser Zazi here, and guess what? I just had an interview that felt like diving into a cool, clear pool of Olympic inspiration! And no, it wasn’t a fashion magazine this time (though you know I love those!). This time, it was a sit-down with none other than Richard Sam Bera, a name that should ring bells louder than a race starting gun!
The Indonesian Olympic Committee themselves (who are seriously the coolest for arranging this!) set up the whole thing. And let me tell you, meeting a real-life Olympian? My inner fangirl was doing synchronized swimming moves of joy!
For those of you who might be like, “Who’s Richard Sam Bera, Zazi?”, let me enlighten you! This man is a LEGEND in Indonesian swimming. We’re talking three-time Olympian (he swam in Seoul ’88, Atlanta ’96, and Sydney 2000 – imagine seeing all those different Olympic eras!). He’s not just a participant; he’s a bronze medalist at the Asian Games and has racked up a mind-blowing twenty-three gold medals at the SEA Games! TWENTY-THREE! My brain can barely compute that many golds. He’s literally considered Indonesia’s most successful swimmer in history. If that doesn’t make you want to jump in a pool and try to set a record, I don’t know what will!
Beyond the pool, Richard is still a huge force in Indonesian sports. He’s been a sports broadcaster, an editor-in-chief for big magazines, helped found the National Champions Millennium Aquatics Club, and even helped kickstart the triathlon craze in Indonesia – some even call him the “father of modern triathlon” here! And today, he’s a key part of the Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC Indonesia), where he’s the Director of PT. Tim Indonesia Emas and also on their Education & Culture Commission. Basically, he’s still making waves, just not always in the water!
So, imagine me, Zazi, sitting across from this titan of Indonesian sports. He was exactly what you’d expect from a seasoned Olympian: sharp, incredibly knowledgeable, but also super approachable and genuinely curious. We talked all about my crazy dream to become the first Indonesian snowboarder at the Winter Olympics! He asked me about growing up (definitely not in the Alps, shocking, I know!), how I even stumbled into this wild sport of snowboarding, and, most importantly, what truly drives me to push past all the challenges.
It was amazing to talk about the dedication, the sacrifices, and the sheer joy of pursuing a dream with someone who has lived that Olympic journey himself. He understood the mental game, the physical demands, and the unwavering belief you need to have in yourself. It wasn’t just an interview; it felt like a mentorship session, a motivational talk from someone who’s truly “been there, done that, and won the medals to prove it!”
His story is such a powerful reminder that if you have a dream, you have to commit to it, train like crazy, and never give up, even when the current is strong against you. Meeting him just fueled my fire even more! It’s incredible to see how Olympians like Richard Sam Bera continue to contribute to the sporting landscape long after their competitive days are over, inspiring the next generation (like yours truly!).
So, huge thanks to Richard Sam Bera for his time, his wisdom, and his hilarious stories (he really is funny!). And eternal gratitude to the Indonesian Olympic Committee for making dreams come true, one interview at a time!
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I hear the mountains calling, and my snowboard is getting lonely. Time to channel that Olympic spirit!
Zazi out!
PS. Follow the adventures of Zazi, the Indonesian Athlete, Teen Model & Snowboard Girl, on Instagram: Click Here !
