Introduction

Bali-born Indonesian star Desak Made Rita Kusuma Dewi came onto the senior circuit in 2021 with a 4th place in her first and only event of the year in Villars and a bronze medal at the same event one year later. 

Consistent results and ever-faster times—along with a booming Speed scene and high-performing national team in Indonesia—culminated in an unexpected but not wholly unsurprising win in Bern.

Desak Rita has never placed lower than 9th in an IFSC event, while also completing university studies at the Ganesha School of Education.

Qualification route

IFSC World Championships Bern - 1st place

In a round of slips and surprises, Desak Rita delivered a calm and collected performance to earn both a world championship title and an Olympic ticket. By winning the 1/2 final, she secured a top-two finish and a Paris quota place. Holding her nerve against Emma Hunt (USA), she clocked 6.49 seconds against Hunt's 6.67 seconds.

Trivia

In November 2023, Desak Rita was named in the BBC's 100 Women list.

UKC prediction

Desak Rita is a consistent perfomer, but anything can happen in Speed. Her PB ranks her among the top 5 athletes.