Toba-Starbpknews.id.Balige, Danau Toba, 14 Agustus 2025 – Remaja asal Indonesia, Boanerges Ratag, kembali mencuri perhatian dunia olahraga air setelah menorehkan serangkaian hasil impresif pada ajang APB-UIM Endurance World Championship Grand Prix of Indonesia yang tengah berlangsung di Balige, Danau Toba. Di usia yang baru 16 tahun, Ratag kini memimpin klasemen sementara dan berada di jalur gelar juara dunia perdananya.
_Hari Pertama: Konsistensi Bawa ke Puncak_
Rabu (13/8), sebanyak 20 pembalap dari sembilan negara turun di dua nomor balap, Moto 1 dan Moto 2. Meski harus menghadapi lawan-lawan berpengalaman dari Eropa, Amerika, dan Asia, Ratag menunjukkan kematangan strategi di luar usianya. Ia memimpin sebagian besar jalannya Moto 1 sebelum akhirnya finis kedua setelah disalip di menit-menit akhir.
Di Moto 2, Ratag kembali menghadapi tekanan ketat namun mampu mempertahankan posisinya di urutan kedua hingga garis finis. Dua podium berturut-turut ini cukup untuk menempatkannya di puncak klasemen sementara dengan keunggulan tipis satu poin atas pembalap Portugal, Lino Araujo.
_Hari Kedua: Kemenangan Gemilang di Moto 3_
Kamis (14/8) pagi menjadi momen istimewa bagi Ratag. Pada Moto 3, ia melesat sejak start dan mengendalikan jalannya lomba hingga finis, meninggalkan Araujo dengan selisih waktu 19,5 detik — margin yang jarang terjadi di level kejuaraan dunia.
“Saya tidak pernah menyangka bisa meraih kemenangan di negara sendiri. Rasanya luar biasa,” ujar Ratag penuh rasa bangga setelah balapan. Kemenangan ini memperlebar jarak poinnya menjadi empat angka di klasemen.
_Moto 4: Pertahankan Fokus di Tengah Tekanan_
Sore harinya, di Moto 4, Araujo membalas dengan memimpin balapan dari awal hingga akhir. Ratag memilih strategi aman dengan menjaga posisi kedua, memastikan jarak aman dari Bailey Cunningham di posisi ketiga. Meski Araujo memangkas jarak poin kembali menjadi satu angka, posisi Ratag di puncak klasemen tetap terjaga.
_Peluang Memecahkan Dua Rekor_
Dengan dua Moto tersisa di hari terakhir, Ratag berpeluang mencetak sejarah sebagai pembalap Indonesia pertama yang meraih gelar Juara Dunia Endurance, sekaligus menjadi juara termuda dalam sejarah kejuaraan ini. Pencapaian ini akan melengkapi perjalanan cemerlangnya setelah musim lalu hanya finis di peringkat ke-11 pada debutnya, dan menjuarai Kejuaraan Nasional Aquabike Jetski Indonesia pada Desember lalu.
Dukungan penuh dari ribuan penonton di tepi Danau Toba menjadi modal moral penting baginya. Atmosfer meriah dari publik tuan rumah diharapkan memberi dorongan ekstra untuk menuntaskan misi sejarah tersebut.
*INDONESIAN RIDER SHINES AT LAKE TOBA, LEADS OVERALL STANDINGS AT AQUABIKE ENDURANCE GRAND PRIX OF INDONESIA*
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Balige, Lake Toba, 14 August 2025 – Indonesian teenager Boanerges Ratag has once again captured the attention of the international watersports community after delivering a string of impressive performances at the APB-UIM Endurance World Championship Grand Prix of Indonesia, currently taking place in Balige, Lake Toba. At just 16 years old, Ratag now sits at the top of the overall standings and is on track to his first-ever world title.
_Day One: Consistency Secures the Lead_
On Wednesday (13/8), 20 riders from nine countries competed in two races, Moto 1 and Moto 2. Despite facing experienced competitors from Europe, America, and Asia, Ratag demonstrated tactical maturity well beyond his years. He led much of Moto 1 before being overtaken in the final minutes, ultimately finishing second.
In Moto 2, Ratag again withstood intense pressure, holding on to second place through to the checkered flag. Two consecutive podium finishes were enough to put him in the overall lead, with a narrow one-point advantage over Portuguese rider Lino Araujo.
_Day Two: Brilliant Victory in Moto 3_
Thursday morning (14/8) brought a special moment for Ratag. In Moto 3, he surged ahead from the start and controlled the race until the end, crossing the finish line 19.5 seconds ahead of Araujo — an unusually wide margin at the world championship level.
“I never thought I could win in my own country. It feels amazing,” Ratag said with pride after the race. The victory widened his lead in the standings to four points.
_Moto 4: Staying Focused Under Pressure_
In the afternoon’s Moto 4, Araujo fought back, leading from start to finish. Ratag opted for a safe strategy, maintaining second place and keeping a comfortable gap from third-placed Bailey Cunningham. While Araujo closed the points gap back to one, Ratag retained his position at the top of the standings.
_Chasing Two Historic Records_
With two Motos remaining on the final day, Ratag stands on the brink of history. A strong finish could see him become the first Indonesian to win the Endurance World Championship, as well as the youngest champion in the event’s history. This achievement would cap off a remarkable rise for the Jakarta-born rider, who finished 11th overall in his debut season last year and went on to win the Indonesian National Aquabike Jetski Championship in December.
With thousands of supporters lining the shores of Lake Toba, Ratag will look to harness the energy of the home crowd as he aims to complete his historic mission.
(M Siboro korwil Sumut)
