EduAsiaNews, Yogyakarta – The Taekwondo Student Activity Unit (UKM Taekwondo) of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) has once again achieved a remarkable accomplishment, this time making its mark on the international stage.
The UMY contingent brought home two gold medals and four bronze medals at the GELORA Taekwondo Indonesia Championships (GTIC) II 2026, held from June 19–21, 2026, at the UNY Sports Hall (GOR UNY).
The championship, themed “Welcome to the Jungle,” was organized by PT Gelora Energi Indonesia and attracted more than 3,000 athletes from across Indonesia and abroad. As a Grade B International event, the tournament served as a prestigious platform for athletes to test their abilities at a higher level of competition.
Proving the Quality of UMY Athletes
Nindita Anggraeni Eka Rahmawati, Chair of UMY Taekwondo Club and team manager, expressed her pride in the team’s achievement. The 2023 Management student described the result as tangible proof of the quality and competitiveness of UMY athletes.
“As both the club chair and team manager, I am extremely proud and satisfied with this achievement. The hard work and dedication demonstrated by our athletes throughout their training have finally paid off. These medals are clear evidence that we are capable of competing at a higher level,” Nindita said on Wednesday (June 24, 2026).
Medal Winners
The UMY contingent secured two gold medals. The first was won by Salma Fauziyah, a Dentistry student from the Class of 2024, in the Senior Blue Taegeuk 4 Female Poomsae category. The second gold medal was earned by Yuftiyannaa Qurrota A’yun Nurmansyah from the Information Technology program, who claimed first place in the Senior Kyorugi Over 87 Kilograms category.
Meanwhile, four bronze medals were awarded to other talented UMY athletes. Rohana Patrizia Putri, a Management student from the Class of 2025, and Dev Aldino Zain, an Information Technology student from the Class of 2024, won bronze medals in the Professional Senior Pair Poomsae category.
The remaining bronze medals were secured by Reyva Aulia Nursya’bani, an Islamic Economics student from the Class of 2025, in the Senior Red Taegeuk 6 Female Poomsae category, and Evan Vijaya Putra, a Law student from the Class of 2025, in the Senior Kyorugi Under 54 Kilograms category.
Intensive Preparation Through Joint Training Sessions
According to Nindita, the team’s preparation began with an internal selection process conducted by the coaching staff. Selected athletes then underwent an intensive training program focused on physical conditioning, technical refinement, and match simulations.
One of the key factors behind the team’s success was participation in joint training sessions with other dojangs and universities. These sessions provided athletes with valuable opportunities to experience a competitive atmosphere before entering the actual tournament.
“Joint training sessions significantly strengthened the athletes’ mental readiness. They had the opportunity to face opponents with diverse fighting styles, which helped them become more prepared to handle pressure during competition,” Nindita explained.
Overcoming Challenges in Competition
The team’s journey was not without challenges. With thousands of participants competing in the tournament, the atmosphere inside the venue was highly competitive. As team manager, Nindita emphasized the importance of maintaining both the physical condition and mental focus of the athletes.
“The competition environment was extremely intense and demanding. The biggest challenge was ensuring that our athletes remained mentally strong and did not feel intimidated. They also needed to manage nervousness when facing highly capable opponents,” she said.
Discipline and consistency proved to be the foundation of the team’s success. Strong collaboration among athletes, coaches, and club administrators enabled the contingent to deliver its best performances on the mat.
Strong Institutional Support
Support from the university also played a significant role in the team’s achievement. UMY provided financial assistance to help cover accommodation and operational expenses throughout the championship. At the same time, the club’s management ensured that all preparation programs were implemented effectively from the beginning to the end of the competition.
This accomplishment has become a new source of motivation for UMY Taekwondo Club to continue its development. Nindita emphasized that the achievement should not lead to complacency but instead serve as a foundation for further improvement.
“Our next goal is to conduct a thorough evaluation so that our athletes can continue to improve their performance. In the long term, we hope UMY Taekwondo Club will continue producing outstanding athletes and participate more actively in international championships,” she stated.
This achievement further reinforces UMY’s commitment to supporting student talent and excellence, both in academic and non-academic fields. Through sustained support and development, UMY Taekwondo Club is expected to continue bringing pride to the university in future competitions.
Author: Abdul Majid
