Dec 19, 2025
3 min read
Basel Graito's steps to winning skateboarding gold at the SEA Games have not been easy.He started honing his skills with a skateboard that cost IDR 5,000.
Basral Graito's struggle to win the gold medal for skateboarding at the 2025 Thailand SEA Games took a tragic turn.Who would have thought, the story started with 'finding out' about a skateboard bought for IDR 5000.
Born on 22 January 2007 in Tangerang, Banten, the Basral family moved to a simple house in Tohudan village, Kolomadu area of the regency Karanganyar after going to primary school (SD).Initially playing football, Basral became interested in skateboarding when he was in the third grade in elementary school.
Basral's father, Sunarto (55), said his third son showed strength in his legs while playing football.When he was in grade 3 in primary school, Basral liked to ride a BMX bike, so Sunarto bought him one.
"After three months, he said he was thinking about skating, even though I bought a bicycle," Sunarto said at a press conference on Thursday (12/18/2025). At first I didn't buy (skateboards)."
Basral became interested in skateboarding after watching a competition at Manahan Stadium.At that time there were skateboard and BMX competitions.Not having his own skateboard, Basral borrowed a friend's skateboard and started trying.
Almost every day, Basral and his older brother join the skateboarding community in Solo.Then his talent was revealed, and he encouraged his father to buy him a skateboard.
"Until he finally played with his friend, he had a skateboard that cost 100,000 rp. If he wanted to use it, he had to use it first, but it was not good. Finally, when he wanted to buy it, it only cost 5,000 rupiah," he said.
As Sunarto explained, the condition of the skateboard was no longer suitable for use and was not up to standards.However, this capital of skateboarding was the beginning for Basral to improve his skills.
A little later, his father bought a used skateboard in better condition.One board was used by Basral and his elder brother.
"At that time, Mangkunegaran had a contest. Actually, he didn't win, but he got a door prize like a new skateboard," he said.
Basral is improving both with his community and at home alone.In fact, Basral and his older brother built their training room to play in front of the house because there was no skating rink at that time.
He continues to participate in various competitions inside and outside the city.Sunarto, who fully supported him, continued to follow his son.Finally, Basral participated in the National Preparatory Selection (Pelatnas) and passed in 2019.
In 2019, Basral was called up to compete in the SEA Games in the Philippines.There, Basral won a bronze medal.This success resulted in Basral being called up to power Indonesia again at the Thailand SEA Games, resulting in a gold medal.
In a separate interview, Basral taught himself after watching skateboarding lessons on YouTube, but often asked his friends in the community.
Indonesian skateboarder, Basal Greto, met at home in Huden Village, Kolamadu District, Karanganyar Regency on Thursday (12/18/2025).Photo: Agil Trisetiawan Putra/Detic Zateng |
"My own practice was self-taught and I learned from YouTube. (Initially interested in skateboarding) Kepo also had a board he could slide, jump. Earlier he had practiced in Manahan, UMS, on the tennis court with the community. There he also asked me what the tricks were," said Basral.
However, Baslal's journey was not smooth.He felt sad when he felt he would not be able to compete internationally.
"There used to be a world skating competition that really affected my spirit. I thought I could show my best there, but it turned out there were a lot of good people. I don't know, there were a lot of people I didn't know were very good. I thought if I could go there, whether my skills were possible or not. I had doubts because I was with them so long. I still am,"I'm still trying to improve my skills.
Insult because there is nothing
When he was in primary school, it was found that Basral Graito was also bullied by his friends because his shoes had holes when he often used them for skateboarding.He admitted that at that time he was not fit for skateboarding so he was easily damaged.
"While the party was going on, the children were shouting at me, as if my shoes had holes. I slowed down. Now thank God (there are many shoes)," he said.
Because he was so focused on the world of skateboarding, Basral's education was not perfect.Since moving to Karanganiyar, Basral studied at SDN 1 Gowanan.He attended SMPN 1 Colomadu, but he only studied in the second grade.
"But (in high school) there were a lot of problems. In high school I started taking the C-pack because I was too busy. I rarely went to Solo, I focused on skateboarding," he explained.
Basral's journey is full of energy.When we were called to Pelatnas, the school was not allowed so there was a conflict.Because, he had to go to National Training for 9 months in Bandung to prepare for the 2019 SEA Games.
"As for the school, all fathers took care of it. From school problems, to fighting with the principal, father took care of it. At that time, the director did not help me to skateboard. Then I went to the national training to prepare for the 2019 SEA Games," he said.
