Super Elite Karate Kudus Trains Athletes from Dojo to the Podium
KUDUS – Every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, the Super Elite Karate Kudus training sessions are held from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. WIB at the GOR Djarum Arena Kaliputu. Athletes of all ages, ranging from elementary school students and teenagers to experienced senior competitors, attend the collective training.
When attendance is lower, the team trains as a single group. During a Thursday session, approximately 40 to 50 athletes practiced together. If attendance approaches 100, coaches divide the participants into specific groups to ensure training meets their individual requirements.
This structure is part of the development program for Super Elite Karate Kudus, which was officially established in February 2026. The team serves as a hub for athletes from various karate clubs and schools in Kudus Regency, with around 100 members spanning from the pre-early childhood level to the senior category.
Since its inception, Super Elite Karate Kudus has competed in several championships. In three tournaments held throughout 2026, the team secured the overall champion title, amassing a total of 199 medals. This success is attributed to their thrice-weekly training routine, post-match evaluations, and a comprehensive development program for all age groups.
Uniting Eight Karate Schools
Super Elite Karate Kudus was formed to bring together athletes from various karate institutions in Kudus Regency. Eight schools currently participate in joint training under the oversight of the Indonesian Karate-Do Federation (FORKI) in Kudus Regency.
Niendio Woro Permono, head of the Kudus Regency FORKI branch and manager of Super Elite Karate Kudus, stated that this unification is part of a broader effort to cultivate high-potential athletes.
Athletes from various clubs retain their original affiliations but participate in joint training through the Super Elite Karate Kudus program. The Djarum Arena Kaliputu sports hall serves as the training venue and the site for centralization.
Development is primarily focused on athletes from early childhood through junior age groups. These groups have significant long-term growth potential to prepare for various competition agendas in the coming years.
Within the team, athletes are categorized by age, ranging from Pre-Early Childhood (6–7 years), Early Childhood (8–9 years), Pre-Beginner (10–11 years), Beginner (12–13 years), Cadet (14–15 years), Junior (16–17 years), U-21 (18–21 years), to Senior (22 years and older). Six coaches oversee the athletes' training.
Intensive Training Ahead of Matches
All athletes follow a shared training schedule on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. WIB. Group distinctions are determined by coaches during the sessions rather than by separate schedules.
When attendance is between 40 and 50 athletes, joint training is conducted without significant grouping. However, with attendance nearing 100, coaches segment the athletes into groups to facilitate more effective instruction.
The training program encompasses physical and technical exercises. Training intensity is adjusted according to the competition calendar, with a focus on technical refinement as championship dates approach to ensure athletes are match-ready.
Meanwhile, sparring sessions are not held daily, occurring instead based on team requirements, particularly in response to invitations from other dojos or as tournament dates draw near.
This approach integrates sparring sessions into specific preparatory phases, while regular training remains the cornerstone of the development program. Following each championship, coaches conduct evaluations and adjust training curricula based on performance outcomes.
199 Medals from Three Championships
The effectiveness of this process is reflected in the results achieved by Super Elite Karate Kudus throughout 2026.
At the 2026 Wira Adhyaksa National Karate Championship in Semarang on April 25–26, Super Elite Karate Kudus secured 37 gold, 21 silver, and 26 bronze medals. The team’s total haul of 84 medals earned them the overall championship title.
The team replicated this success at the 2026 Rektor Cup XI UIN Walisongo International Karate Open Championship in Semarang on July 11, collecting 27 gold, 22 silver, and 22 bronze medals for a total of 71, once again clinching the overall title.
From August 1–2, the team competed in the 2026 Ultramen Hydroplus Karate Championship at the Djarum Arena in Kudus. They brought home 23 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze medals, totaling 44, and secured their third consecutive overall championship.
Across these three events, Super Elite Karate Kudus amassed a total of 199 medals, comprising 87 gold, 55 silver, and 57 bronze, marking a successful competitive year.
For the coaching staff, every championship serves as a metric for athlete development. Post-match evaluations are used to identify areas for improvement in subsequent training cycles.
Developing Youth Talent
Muhammad Ade Sebastian, 25, an administrator and head coach at Super Elite Karate Kudus, stated that the team’s structure is designed to foster a pipeline of young talent from the school level.
Training is not limited to high-performing athletes. Children from elementary to high school age are integrated into the program. According to Ade, sports serve as a constructive outlet, helping youth focus on positive activities amid the prevalence of gadgets and social media.
For Ade, discipline and consistent training are vital. Therefore, post-championship evaluations are critical for assessing progress and planning future sessions.
Talent scouting is also conducted through external dojos and branches. Athletes who show potential at a young age are then given opportunities to join the centralized development program.
This phased approach ensures structured development. Younger athletes are not held to the same standards as seniors, allowing them to progress according to their age group and the specific training requirements set by their coaches.
Representing the younger group is 10-year-old Dean Ikmal Zidny, a fifth-grade student at SDN 1 Rendeng Kudus.
Dean began his karate journey in kindergarten, competing for the first time in first grade at his parents' encouragement. Since then, he has participated in numerous championships, earning honors in events such as the Regency Karate Championship, the Wira Adhyaksa Cup National Championship, and the Ultramen Hydroplus Karate Championship.
For Dean, learning to manage his energy is a key lesson from competition. He understands that stamina must be conserved, as matches are not always won in a single bout.
Leading up to tournaments, he increases his sparring volume as part of his preparation, giving him the chance to test himself against opponents before the actual competition.
Winning gold medals is a source of pride for Dean, as his achievements bring recognition to his school and family. At just 10 years old, he is already setting his sights on the Asian Games.
Balancing Training and Academics
Muhammad Dzaka Hibatullah, 20, is navigating the path of a senior athlete. The Kudus native is currently pursuing a degree at Brawijaya University in Malang while maintaining his career as a karateka.
Growing up in a family of karate practitioners, Dzaka began training in kindergarten. Since then, the sport has been integral to his life. By committing to the sport at a high level, he has had to master the balance between training, education, and his social life.
As an athlete, Dzaka has had to sacrifice leisure time to prioritize his studies and consistent training schedule.
He acknowledges that being an athlete requires significant sacrifice, but the pride of achievement and his desire to make his parents proud keep him motivated.
Dzaka previously secured a third-place finish and a bronze medal at the provincial martial arts championships in Kudus, a performance he hopes to improve upon in future competitions.
Currently, his focus is set on winning gold at the 2026 Central Java Provincial Games. He is intensifying his training and mental preparation to face his opponents on the mat.
Targeting Gold at the Provincial Games
For the Kudus Regency branch of FORKI, developing athletes from an early age through the junior ranks is a primary focus. These groups are being prepared systematically, as they have ample time to develop before competing at higher levels.
The unification of eight martial arts schools under the Super Elite Karate Kudus banner serves as a key component of their centralized training strategy. Athletes from these diverse schools are given the opportunity to engage in joint training sessions led by designated coaches.
For the senior division, efforts are concentrated on preparing for upcoming regional multi-sport events. Meanwhile, athletes from the early childhood to junior levels are being groomed for long-term development, with the potential to eventually secure spots in the Central Java FORKI squad.
FORKI Kudus aims to secure at least one gold medal at the Central Java Porprov, scheduled for October 2026. This goal is a key follow-up to the three consecutive overall championship titles earned by Super Elite Karate Kudus throughout 2026.
Super Elite Karate Kudus was established in February 2026. Despite its recent founding, the organization has already recruited approximately 100 athletes from eight different schools and participated in numerous championships.
The collection of 199 medals across three tournaments highlights this early success. Following each competition, the process continues with rigorous training and performance evaluations, as athletes return to the dojo to refine their skills for future challenges.
Training needs vary significantly among athletes. Coaches adjust session structures based on the number of participants, as well as the age and ability level of each athlete. Sparring sessions are integrated into the curriculum, particularly when responding to invitations from other dojos or as tournaments approach.
Senior athlete Dzaka is currently pursuing a gold medal at the Porprov, while junior trainee Dean is in the early stages of a long development path. Both illustrate that the organization’s commitment to training extends far beyond the results of a single tournament.
Training sessions, which can run as late as 8:00 p.m. WIB, are a staple of the athletes' daily routines. As one session concludes, the next phase of preparation—continuous training, evaluation, and competition—awaits to measure their progress.
For Super Elite Karate Kudus and FORKI Kudus, this process is essential to maintaining a steady pipeline of athletic talent. From early childhood to the senior level, every athlete follows a structured path within the same comprehensive development framework. (JMY/mainkekudus)
