Jakarta Claims Overall Title Through Hard Work and Athletic Development
Overtaking West Java in the Final Days
The DKI Jakarta contingent successfully concluded the 2025 Kudus Martial Arts PON with a stellar achievement. After a tight competition throughout the event, DKI finally overtook West Java in the final two days to secure the overall championship title.
KONI DKI Jakarta Vice Chairman III, Fatchul Anas, expressed his gratitude for the result. He attributed the success to the consistency and careful planning implemented by KONI DKI over the past year.
"We are grateful. Alhamdulillah, God provided ease and strength, allowing our contingent to, metaphorically speaking, overtake West Java at the final corner to become the overall champions of the Martial Arts PON," Anas said in Kudus on Saturday (Oct. 25).
Anas explained that DKI Jakarta’s achievement aligned with initial projections. In the first week, the team did not perform at its peak due to the regeneration phase of several martial arts disciplines. However, starting in the second week, the contingent's performance saw a sharp increase driven by sports such as kempo and pencak silat.
"In the first week, we were still in the coaching process. But entering the second week, there was a major resurgence, especially from kempo, which contributed seven gold medals. Pencak silat also delivered positive results," he said.
The momentum continued into the final week. DKI successfully secured additional medals in jujitsu, a discipline that yielded no medals at the previous PON. Karate and wushu ultimately proved decisive in the final days.
"In jujitsu, which was empty at the previous PON, we were able to secure four gold medals this time. This is the result of training over the past year," he stated.
Anas emphasized that this success is no reason for complacency. He noted that the results in Kudus serve as an important evaluation for preparations leading to the 2028 PON in East Nusa Tenggara and West Nusa Tenggara.
"We must not stop here. Our main target remains the 2028 PON. We will improve on sports that have not yet reached their potential, while continuing to maintain the ones that have performed well," he asserted.
Furthermore, Anas revealed that most of the athletes competing in Kudus represent a young generation being prepared for the future. Senior national training center athletes were purposely not fielded to provide experience to the second-tier prospects.
"Most of those who appeared here are young athletes. We gave them the opportunity to compete, and the results were extraordinary. This is proof that tiered development in DKI is working well," he concluded.
DKI secured the overall title after surpassing West Java, which had sat atop the standings for 14 days, in the final week. The capital city contingent closed the event with 42 gold, 27 silver, and 30 bronze medals. (Gerry Putra)
source: ponbeladiri.com
