Overtaking West Java in the Final Stretch
The Jakarta contingent concluded the 2025 Kudus Martial Arts PON on a high note. Following a fierce competition throughout the event, Jakarta finally overtook West Java in the final two days to secure the overall championship title.
KONI Jakarta Vice Chairman III Fatchul Anas expressed his gratitude for the result, attributing the success to consistency and careful planning implemented by KONI Jakarta over the past year.
“We are grateful; Alhamdulillah, God provided the ease and strength for our contingent to, in a sense, overtake West Java at the final turn and become the overall champions of the Martial Arts PON,” Anas said in Kudus on Saturday (Oct. 25).
Anas explained that Jakarta's achievements met initial projections. During the first week, the team underperformed as several martial arts disciplines were in a period of transition. However, performance improved sharply by the second week, bolstered by sports such as kempo and pencak silat.
“In the first week, we were still in a developmental phase. Entering the second week, there was a major resurgence, particularly from kempo, which contributed seven gold medals. Pencak silat also delivered positive results,” he said.
The momentum continued into the final week, with Jakarta securing multiple medals in jujitsu—a discipline that failed to medal in the previous PON. Karate and wushu ultimately proved decisive in the final days.
“In jujitsu, which was empty in the previous PON, we were able to secure four gold medals. This is the result of training over the past year,” he noted.
Anas emphasized that this success is no reason for complacency, viewing the results in Kudus as an important evaluation for preparations leading to the 2028 PON in East and West Nusa Tenggara.
“We must not stop here. Our main target remains the 2028 PON. We will improve the disciplines that have not yet reached their potential while maintaining the ones that have produced positive results,” he asserted.
Furthermore, Anas revealed that the majority of athletes competing in Kudus were young, representing the next generation. Senior national team athletes were deliberately omitted to provide experience to the second-tier athletes.
“Most of those competing here were young athletes. We gave them the opportunity to perform, and the results were extraordinary. This is proof that tiered development in Jakarta is working well,” he concluded.
Jakarta secured the overall title after surpassing West Java, which had occupied the top of the standings for 14 days, in the final week. The capital city's contingent closed the event with 42 gold, 27 silver, and 30 bronze medals. (Gerry Putra)
source: ponbeladiri.com
