UNAIR NEWS The Pencak Silat Student Activity Unit (UKM IPSI) of 51动漫 () has once again achieved international recognition. The team was crowned overall champion at the 14th Indonesia Pencak Silat Paku Bumi Open Championship 2026, held at GOR Lembah, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta, on April 4 to 5, 2026.
During the competition, the team secured an impressive total of 25 gold medals and 35 silver medals. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of all 60 athletes involved, marking IPSI UNAIR檚 first international accomplishment in the past two years.
Short preparation, intensive training
Muhammad Randi Prayoga, known as Randi, vice chair II of IPSI UNAIR, stated that the team檚 success was driven by the collective effort of both athletes and coaches. He noted that the team had only a short preparation period before the competition was relatively short.
淥ur preparation lasted only four days, but we focused on mastering fundamental techniques, scoring strategies, improving kicking techniques, and refining movements. We also paid close attention to maintaining the athletes physical condition to ensure peak performance during the matches, Randi explained
He added that the greatest challenges during the competition involved managing team resources, organizing training schedules, and adjusting to each athlete檚 capabilities to ensure optimal performance across all categories. These challenges, however, were overcome through strong commitment and maximum effort during the competition.
Hard work pays off
According to Randi, the most memorable moment came when the UNAIR contingent secured its first gold medal. 淲hen we won our first gold medal, it felt surreal. During the finals, we experienced moments of overthinking due to the intense competition. The medal gap between teams was very narrow, making every match highly tense, he said.
He also emphasized the crucial role of institutional support in achieving this success. UNAIR provided financial assistance, facilities, and administrative support, allowing the team to focus fully on training and competition.
Looking ahead, IPSI UNAIR aims to maintain and further improve its performance in future events. 淲e hope to win more medals this year and next, and to excel in more national and international competitions, particularly POMNAS and POMPROV, Randi concluded.
Author: Maulya Afifah Zahra
Editor : Khefti Al Mawalia
