Seeking Emerging Talent, Kudus to Host 2026 National Junior Archery Championship

KUDUS — The MilkLife Archery Challenge 2026 Junior National Championship returns to Kudus. The event, which serves as a talent scouting platform, will take place at the Supersoccer Arena (SSA) in Kudus Regency, Central Java, from July 22-29, 2026.

This national-scale championship supports the development of young talent. Now in its second year, the event is expected to be larger, with over 1,000 athletes participating from across Indonesia.

Supersoccer Arena Kudus PIC, Vera Eka Wardani, stated that the Junior National Championship is a collaboration between the Indonesian Archery Association (PB Perpani) and the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation to foster youth athletes. This marks the second time Kudus has hosted what is considered the largest junior archery championship to date.

“Registration is open from May 15 to July 10 online. However, if the quota is filled before the deadline, registration will close early,” said Vera on Wednesday (6/3/2026).

According to Vera, attendance is expected to increase from last year’s figure, which saw 876 athletes from 28 provinces. The 2026 Junior Championship projects up to 1,000 participants, with a maximum capacity of approximately 1,200.

Featuring world-standard facilities, the Junior National Championship will adopt a format similar to global archery competitions. The venue at SSA is designed to enhance the development and performance of young Indonesian athletes.

Organizers will implement an alternate final format, with head-to-head matches displayed on large screens for spectators at the arena.

Vera noted that this competitive atmosphere serves as a major draw for participants, allowing them to experience conditions comparable to world championships.

“The high level of interest is largely due to the venue, which meets international standards and provides top-tier facilities,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Committee Chair and Deputy General Chairperson II for Achievement Development at PB Perpani, Abdul Razak, emphasized that the Junior National Championship is not only a competition but a critical part of long-term athlete development.

The 2026 Junior National Championship will feature four age categories: U-10, U-13, U-15, and U-18. Through this structured competition, he hopes to uncover young athletes capable of achieving national success and representing Indonesia on the international stage.

“We are seeing higher enthusiasm from participants. Having familiarized themselves with the field and the competition last year, they now have a clearer understanding and are better prepared,” said Razak.

Central Java Contingent Preparation

Meanwhile, the Central Java contingent has begun finalizing preparations for the 2026 Junior National Archery Championship. Rio Riswandha, coach for Central Java B, revealed that the team will conduct a three-stage selection process to identify top athletes.

“Last year, Central Java B sent approximately 40 athletes. This year, we are sending 32 athletes who have undergone a rigorous selection process,” Rio stated.

Before competing, athletes will participate in a two-month training center, focusing on mental conditioning, physical fitness, and stamina. Additionally, technical training will be integrated to help the Central Java representatives enhance their performance.

“We are still aiming for gold, but the most important thing is that the athletes perform at their best and achieve high scores. The dedication to training remains the top priority,” he added.

Registration for the 2026 Junior National Archery Championship remains open until July 10, 2026. Organizers hope that many junior athletes from Kudus and surrounding areas will eventually go on to represent Indonesia on the international stage. _^(HYM/MKK)