UNS — Students from Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta, selected to represent the Central Java province in the 2023 National Student Sports Week (Pekan Olahraga Mahasiswa Nasional, or Pomnas XVIII), won nine gold medals, seven silver medals, and six bronze medals. Pomnas XVIII took place in South Kalimantan from November 11 to 22.

Dr. Rony Syaifullah, S.Pd., M.Pd., the Head of the UNS Official Athlete Team competing in Pomnas XVIII, stated that 27 UNS students were selected to join the Central Java contingent for the event. These 27 athletes competed in various sports, including athletics, badminton, wrestling, karate, kempo, pencak silat, swimming, sepak takraw, and taekwondo.

“Alhamdulillah, UNS students selected to represent the Central Java province in Pomnas have brought honor to UNS by winning nine gold, seven silver, and six bronze medals. This is a remarkable achievement,” Dr. Rony expressed on Thursday (23/11/2023).

Breaking down the medal count, two gold medals were secured in taekwondo, three in sepak takraw, and one each in pencak silat, athletics, badminton, and karate. “For silver, we have two in pencak silat, three in sepak takraw, and one each in badminton and athletics. Meanwhile, for bronze, we have three in pencak silat, one each in karate, taekwondo, and swimming,” Dr. Rony added.

With this medal tally, it is evident that UNS student achievements in Pomnas have improved compared to the previous year. “In the previous Pomnas, UNS only won five gold medals. This year, our representatives from UNS have secured nine gold medals. This achievement is undoubtedly due to the support from all parties, and, of course, the hard work of these students has paid off. I admit, these students are very disciplined in their training, and their enthusiasm is extraordinary,” Dr. Rony, who also serves as the Acting Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Research, and Student Affairs at the Faculty of Sports Sciences (FKOR) UNS, said.

Dr. Rony expressed gratitude to the Indonesian Student Sports Governing Body (Badan Pembina Olahraga Mahasiswa Indonesia, or BAPOMI) of Central Java for entrusting UNS students to participate in this prestigious event. “Thank you to the UNS Rector and Vice Rector for supporting the departure of UNS students to Pomnas XVIII. Hopefully, in the next Pomnas, the achievements of UNS students will continue to improve. The next Pomnas is planned to be held in Papua,” Dr. Rony said. HUMAS UNS

Reporter: Dwi Hastuti