Kudus Wani Tanding Serves as a Kickboxing Arena for Both Male and Female Competitors

KUDUS – The Saturday (07/25/2026) morning session at the Bung Karno Sports Hall (GOR) in Kudus began with the ringing of a bell that cut through the roaring crowd. Cheers erupted with each landing strike or successful kick. Elsewhere in the arena, fighters warmed up, pacing, catching their breath, and adjusting their protective gear before being called to the ring. None appeared truly relaxed; even those who seemed composed masked tension behind their focused gazes.

This was the atmosphere surrounding Kudus Wani Tanding (KWT), an event organized by the King Boxing Indonesia (KBI) Kudus Regency branch. For some participants, this event is a quest for victory. For many others, particularly those making their debut, winning is not the only goal. It is a test of courage, a way to conquer fear, and a process of steadily building self-confidence.

Behind every match lies a history of long, unseen preparation. The ring is more than a place to trade blows; it is a space for individuals to learn how to handle pressure, manage emotions, and understand that true courage is born from repetitive training.

Learning Courage in the Ring

Among the athletes participating in Kudus Wani Tanding is Rara Setyawati Rahayu. The 22-year-old from Gribig Village, Gebog District, Kudus, does not have a background as a professional athlete. Her days are primarily spent working as a cigarette factory worker at PT Djarum.

After work, Rara dedicates her time to training. She maintains a grueling routine twice a week, including jogging around the arena, practicing techniques such as jabs, straights, and uppercuts, and participating in sparring sessions.

Her passion for martial arts began in elementary school. In junior high, she trained in pencak silat with the Pagar Nusa organization. After a hiatus due to school commitments, she rediscovered her drive in the workplace. This year marks the beginning of her journey into kickboxing.

Her decision initially surprised her family, as her parents were worried about her choosing a sport defined by physical impact. However, Rara has a simple justification: for her, martial arts is not just about competition, but about the ability to defend herself in unforeseen situations.

The most exhausting part of training is not the striking, but the running. Each session has performance targets she must meet, requiring her to maintain her pace until the final lap. Fatigue is an inherent part of the process.

She balances all of this alongside her work. There are no shortcuts to the ring; every match represents the culmination of sacrifices, intensive effort, and disciplined commitment.

Defeat as Part of the Training

Stepping into the ring means accepting two possibilities: victory or defeat. Rara has understood this from the beginning.

She admits to having experienced losses in previous matches. However, for her, those results are never a reason to stop training. Each defeat serves as an evaluation to improve her technique and mindset for future bouts.

This perspective keeps her undeterred when facing opponents from more experienced gyms. She chooses to view every match as a learning opportunity; the stronger the opponent, the more valuable experience she gains.

This principle has gradually built her self-confidence. For Rara, courage does not mean the absence of fear, but rather the resolve to push forward despite the nervousness that arises before every match.

She hopes more women will be encouraged to take up martial arts. Beyond improving physical fitness, training provides essential skills for self-defense in unexpected situations.

Mindset First, Technique Follows

Rara's development is the result of a structured coaching process. Mas'ud, a trainer from the Kudus Silat Academy (ASK), notes that the greatest challenge in training novice athletes is not teaching punches or kicks, but fostering courage.

He observes that many newcomers arrive with a fear of getting hit or facing opponents. Without developing the right mental fortitude, even superior technique is difficult to cultivate.

Therefore, the training approach always begins with psychological strengthening. Athletes are helped to adapt through sparring sessions with more experienced fighters, focusing on acclimating them to high-pressure environments rather than simply determining a winner.

Once the fear subsides, training shifts to mastering basic techniques. Punches, kicks, evasive movements, and physical conditioning are introduced progressively, allowing the athlete’s skills to evolve alongside their growing experience.

Mas’ud emphasized that tournaments like Kudus Wani Tanding play a crucial role in athlete development. Such competitions serve as a barometer for training progress and provide essential match experience for emerging athletes. These events allow coaches to evaluate technical growth, mental readiness, and the long-term potential of participants for higher-level competition.

Unseen Support Outside the Ring

During a match, public attention is usually fixed on the two fighters in the ring, often overshadowing the intensity felt by those watching from the sidelines.

In the stands of the Bung Karno Sports Hall, Cempluk watched the proceedings with evident anxiety, her hands occasionally clenching and her breath hitching as she observed her athlete absorbing strikes.

While witnessing women compete in martial arts naturally evokes concern for Cempluk, she remains firmly convinced that self-defense skills are an essential asset for women.

She believes that the modern social climate necessitates that women possess the ability to protect themselves from public threats. Consequently, she consistently supports Rara while stressing the importance of protective gear and safety during combat.

This support extends well beyond the final bell. Constant encouragement, guidance, and confidence are vital factors that help athletes recover from defeats and refocus on their upcoming challenges.

For Cempluk, martial arts also open broader career prospects. She hopes that dedicated young athletes will establish lasting paths as professional competitors, coaches, or physical education teachers, or reach top-tier regional and national stages.

Developing the Next Generation of Fighters

The Kudus Wani Tanding tournament is designed with long-term goals in mind. Bowo Dwi Sulaksono—also known as Benjo—a board member of the Kudus Regency KBI, explained that the event is a key component in a larger pipeline for advancing athletes toward higher levels of competitive success.

The competition features various divisions, ranging from novice to amateur professional levels. This structure allows participants to gain real match experience and benchmark their skills before advancing to higher-level championships.

Participant enthusiasm was evident in the high volume of bouts held throughout the day. A total of 70 matches featured 140 fighters from various gyms. Among them, 17 female athletes competed in the Influencer Class, Amateur Professional, and Women's Kickboxing categories.

For KBI Kudus, athlete development continues well beyond the conclusion of the event. Regular training sessions are integral to the ongoing talent pipeline, with a primary objective of cultivating fighters capable of competing in regional events such as the Provincial Sports Week (Porprov), pre-PON qualification, and the National Sports Week (PON).

Competitions like Kudus Wani Tanding also broaden public perception of martial arts. The ring serves as a platform to demonstrate that discipline, sportsmanship, and self-control are the core values instilled during training, extend far beyond the mere ability to strike an opponent.

Consistency as a Means of Self-Conquest

Every fighter who steps out of the ring brings a unique story. Some return with medals, while others face defeat, yet all gain experience that cannot be replicated in training alone.

The journey of Rara Setyawati Rahayu exemplifies how courage is forged through a long process. A factory worker who trains after hours, she has learned that bravery is not overnight but a product of consistent training, accepting defeat, and finding the resolve to face the next challenge.

Through coaching, family support, and the competitive platform provided by Kudus Wani Tanding, martial arts in Kudus is developing more than just ready-to-compete fighters. It is fostering resilient, disciplined individuals capable of rising after every setback. While they compete against opponents in the ring, their greatest battle remains overcoming their own inner doubts. (JMY/mainkekudus)