Kudus Serves as an Archery Hub as Athletes from 29 Provinces Compete in HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026

KUDUS – Hundreds of young athletes lined up at the shooting line of the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus. Before them, targets were neatly arranged. Behind them lay a long, arduous journey known only to them. Some arrived by plane from Kalimantan and Sulawesi, others spent two to three days on buses traversing Sumatra and Java, and some even crossed the sea before finally reaching Kudus. It was this unified journey that brought them together for the MilkLife Archery Challenge, the 2026 Junior National Archery Championship.

The tournament, held from July 18–29, 2026, featured 906 athletes from 29 provinces. They came prepared not only to pursue victory but to represent the hopes of their families and regions, fueled by months of rigorous training. For many participants, this marked their first national championship and an opportunity to meet peers from across Indonesia.

Within this arena, the long journey transformed into a new experience. Athletes learned to adapt to the field’s unique conditions, exchanged stories with competitors from other provinces, and navigated challenges that extended beyond their immediate rivals. In archery, mastery of self-control is often as critical as the precision of the shot.

Learning to Conquer Oneself

Among the hundreds of athletes warming up, 15-year-old Alfian Syahreza Nugroho carefully inspected his bow and equipment before the round. Hailing from Tanah Bumbu Regency, South Kalimantan, he traveled to Kudus with a contingent of 41 other provincial athletes.

Although his plane journey was significantly faster than those of other delegations, Alfian maintains that the real challenge begins the moment he steps to the shooting line. He asserts that an archer’s greatest rival is not an opponent, but oneself. According to Alfian, competing requires consistent technical drills, physical conditioning, and the mental fortitude to remain calm with every release—a routine he honed for a month prior to the event.

Balancing these intense training demands alongside his studies has its challenges. Alfian admits that juggling school and athletics is difficult, as archery requires constant, focused practice. Nevertheless, he views the opportunity to compete at the national level as a reward that justifies the personal sacrifices. Furthermore, the championship has provided him with the invaluable chance to network with athletes from across the country, an experience unattainable solely within his home region.

A Three-Day Journey for New Experiences

While Alfian traveled by air, Alhafiz Okta Ryano faced a much longer journey from the Riau Islands. The U-18 Compound archer and his contingent opted for a three-day, two-night bus trip to arrive in Kudus.

Before departing, all athletes attended a centralized training camp and bid farewell to their families, carrying their parents’ blessings on the journey to Java.

The grueling trek was compounded by heavy traffic, yet Alhafiz viewed the challenge as a vital part of the journey toward his first national championship.

Upon arriving in Kudus, Alhafiz shifted his focus beyond just the competition. He embraced the opportunity to meet peers from across the country, exchanging training insights and learning mental strategies. He noted that each region employs different coaching methods, making this national championship an invaluable learning experience not available back home.

To him, building connections with fellow athletes from various provinces is as rewarding as the opportunity to compete on the national stage.

Transporting Gear Across Islands

Meanwhile, Jenny Shafira Said from South Sulawesi traveled to Kudus by flying to Semarang before continuing the final leg by car. It was not her first time in the region, as she previously participated in a similar archery championship in Kudus.

Despite being familiar with the competition site, preparations for the National Championship remained rigorous. Beyond a month of technical training, Djenar had to ensure all her competition gear arrived in good condition.

For archery athletes, inter-island travel involves more than just transit. Bows, limbs, stabilizers, arrows, binoculars, and other support equipment must be transported with extreme care to remain competition-ready. Djenar is grateful that her equipment arrived in Kudus without incident, allowing her to focus entirely on the match.

Upon reaching the field, new challenges emerged. According to Djenar, the wind conditions at Supersoccer Arena are significant, requiring athletes to read the environment carefully before releasing their arrows. In archery, wind shifts can alter an arrow's trajectory, making composure and situational awareness critical to success.

Beyond her athletic commitments, Djenar is planning for her future outside of sports. She hopes to one day become a professional archer while also achieving her goal of practicing as a dentist.

Learning from New Arenas and Cities

Azma Dzakiyyah, a 13-year-old athlete from Bengkulu, also endured a long journey. Traveling with three other athletes, she spent two days on the road to reach Kudus. While the arduous trip caused some travel fatigue, it did not dampen her spirit for participating in the Junior National Archery Championship.

Azma had been preparing for the National Championship since March with a consistent training regimen, which propelled her to the final round. She noted that her performance this year was an improvement over the previous one, serving as validation for her months of hard work.

Outside of competition, Azma took the opportunity to explore Kudus through its culinary offerings. Dishes like Soto Kudus, buffalo satay, lentog, and dimsum were highlights of her visit.

Competing at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus also left a strong impression. Azma identified the unpredictable wind as the biggest challenge on the field. Nevertheless, she praised the facility's cleanliness, noting that amenities such as water availability and restrooms were well-maintained.

Sacrifices Behind the Contingents

The athletes' journey would not be possible without the support of the coaches and officials who have accompanied them since departure. For Salman, fondly known as Bang Ical, the effort required to guide the athletes to the competition arena has been a significant endeavor in itself.

As an official for the Riau Islands contingent, he and his team opted for bus travel to ease the financial burden on the athletes' parents. The decision required the group to endure a two-day, two-night journey, but he deemed it the most realistic option given the significantly higher costs of air travel.

During the trip, the officials focused not only on the schedule but also on maintaining the athletes' physical condition for the competition. Upon arrival in Kudus, the primary challenge shifted to building the athletes' confidence to secure the Riau Islands contingent's first medal after several previous national championship appearances without a podium finish.

Bang Ical also used the event as an opportunity to observe coaching methods from other regions. He noted that athletes are not just learning archery techniques but also absorbing the discipline, professional attitude toward coaches, and work ethic demonstrated by other contingents, hoping these lessons will serve them well upon returning home.

Unseen Anxiety from the Sidelines

While athletes must manage their tension when aiming at targets, parents face a different pressure: watching every arrow fly while being unable to do anything but offer support from the sidelines.

Rahmi Ningsih Putri experienced this first-hand while accompanying her son, Alby Luthfi Alfakhri, who traveled from Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. Their journey to Kudus included an 18-hour ferry ride to Surabaya followed by a long trip by land. She noted that such extensive travel requires athletes to strictly manage their physical and mental state before competing.

Once at the arena, the anxiety is often felt more by the companions than the athletes themselves. Rahmi admitted she frequently could not bear to track the scores, feeling too nervous while watching her son compete. Nonetheless, she expressed pride in supporting him at the national level.

For her, the national championship is about more than just winning; the gathering of athletes from different provinces provides an opportunity for children to observe other competitors, learn from them, and find motivation to improve their training quality upon returning home.

Between matches, Rahmi also took the time to sample local buffalo satay and pindang, dishes she had never encountered in her hometown. This simple experience served as a highlight of her stay in Kudus.

Development That Begins at an Early Age

Behind the hundreds of athletes filling the shooting range lies a developmental process that has been underway for years. Abdul Razak, Second Deputy Chair for Coaching and Achievement at the Indonesian Archery Association (PB PERPANI) and head of the organizing committee for the 2026 MilkLife Archery Challenge Junior National Championship, explained that this tournament is a key part of grooming young athletes.

He noted that archery is a sport structured by age groups, ensuring athletes compete within their respective categories—U-10, U-13, U-15, and U-18. This system allows athletes to develop gradually in line with their specific training phase.

Before reaching Kudus, all participants underwent selection processes at the regency and provincial levels. Those who qualified were entrusted to represent their regions at the national level. Through this process, PB PERPANI hopes that more young athletes will gain competitive experience, ultimately broadening the pool of potential national talent.

Journeys That Shape Experience

To some, the Junior Archery National Championship may just be a tournament to determine the winners. However, for the hundreds of athletes who traveled to Kudus, the journey to the arena is an integral part of their learning experience.

Some took time away from school, others endured days of travel, and many met peers from across the country for the first time. These experiences united them on the shooting line with a common goal: to put months of disciplined training to the test.

Beyond the match results, the national championship provided a platform for athletes to connect, exchange knowledge, and observe how archery programs are thriving in different regions. From their long journeys to conversations between contingents and the challenge of navigating wind conditions on the field, they returned home with experiences far beyond the final scores.

When the final arrow was released, each participant left Kudus with a different story. Some departed with medals, while others took away valuable insights for future training. Yet, all shared a common gain—experience that cannot be measured by the final scoreboard. Through discipline, resilience, and the courage to pursue their dreams, this championship serves as a vital milestone in their long-term development as both athletes and growing individuals. (JMY/mainkekudus)