Ahmad Maulana Umar Al Fatih

KUDUS — At 11 years old, Ahmad Maulana Umar Al Fatih has cultivated a disciplined routine. After finishing his school day, he does not immediately turn to leisure. Instead, his afternoons are almost exclusively dedicated to archery practice. This commitment has established him as a standout young archer from Kudus, with numerous titles in the PVC and Horsebow categories.

Among his notable achievements are securing first place at the MilkLife Archery Challenge Series 2 of 2025 and repeating as the first-place winner at the MilkLife Archery Challenge Series 1 of 2026 in the U-12 PVC category.

The sixth-grade student at MI Muhammadiyah Al Tanbih Kudus did not earn these accolades overnight. Behind every medal lies a grueling schedule of daily training, personal sacrifice, and the unwavering support of his family, coaches, and school. It is this journey that has shaped his trajectory as a developing young athlete, evolving from one championship to the next.

Residing in Pasuruhan Kidul Village, Jati District, Kudus Regency, Al Fatih lives a life typical of his peers. Outside of school and training, he enjoys playing soccer, badminton, visiting his grandparents, or spending time with friends. Yet, his afternoons remain distinct: he arrives at the field to practice archery, refining the techniques necessary to face his next competition.

An Introduction to Archery

Al Fatih’s archery career began about two years ago, between his third and fourth grades. It was his father, the first to introduce him to the sport, who sparked his interest, though he admits he was not immediately convinced.

"I was hesitant at first, but eventually, I grew to love it," he said.

That passion grew through consistent practice. For him, archery is not just an enjoyable pursuit, but a gateway to competitive opportunities.

"It lets me join competitions and achieve success," he added.

Driven by his curiosity, Al Fatih began his training. His developmental journey has included time with various clubs and archery communities, such as Kwaci, Panahmu, and the Traditional Archery Arts Federation of Indonesia (Fespati) in Kudus.

He currently competes in two divisions: PVC and Horsebow. The PVC division utilizes bows made from polyvinyl chloride, a lightweight material frequently used as an accessible training tool for teaching youth the fundamentals of archery. Conversely, the Horsebow is a traditional archery format featuring bows without sights or stabilizers. Success in this category relies on an athlete’s instinct, physical coordination, and the consistency gained through rigorous training to deliver accurate shots.

Competing in two different categories requires Al Fatih to adapt his technique, training regimen, and the unique characteristics of different bows. This experience is a vital part of his ongoing development as a young athlete.

Mastering Technique and Building Training Habits

The Hizbul Wathan (HW) field in Purwosari Village, Kota District, is where Al Fatih most frequently trains. It is there that he spends the majority of his afternoons following the conclusion of his school day.

His first introduction to archery came from his uncle, Abdul Aziz, who is also an archer. Through his uncle, Al Fatih learned the fundamentals of holding a bow, drawing a string, maintaining proper posture, and releasing arrows correctly before transitioning to structured coaching with club and school mentors.

His training schedule is now nearly daily. After school, typically between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM WIB, he heads directly to the practice field. The sessions are comprehensive, focusing not only on marksmanship but also on concentration, competitive mentality, shooting technique, and physical fitness.

According to Al Fatih, the biggest challenge during training arises when his coach sets specific performance targets.

"There’s a prize for winning, which makes it more exciting," he said with a smile.

As competition approaches, training intensity increases. Beyond extended sessions, he meticulously checks his equipment. He pays particular attention to his arrows, ensuring they remain perfectly straight, as even minor deformations can impact flight trajectory and accuracy.

Balancing Academics and Athletics

While his training schedule is demanding, Al Fatih ensures it does not interfere with his academic responsibilities. He has become adept at balancing school and sports.

"I attend school in the morning and train in the afternoon; I’ve grown accustomed to the routine," he said.

This daily rhythm has taught him how to manage his time from a young age. As soon as his academic work is complete, he transitions seamlessly into the training sessions that have become central to his life.

School support has been a vital factor in maintaining that balance. Teachers consistently provide encouragement, even accompanying him to various championships. His peers, aware of his success as an archer, also offer their support.

At school, Al Fatih's favorite subject is Natural and Social Sciences (IPAS). Beyond sports, he takes an interest in technology, often spending his free time learning to code and developing websites.

Building Competitive Mental Fortitude Through Experience

Al Fatih’s achievements are not defined by technical skill alone; his experience in various competitions has been instrumental in shaping his competitive mindset.

Miftahul Ridho, a physical education teacher and archery coach at MI Muhammadiyah Al Tanbih Kudus, has closely monitored Al Fatih’s progress since his first tournament.

According to Ridho, during the MilkLife Archery event at age 10, Al Fatih was still adapting and needed to build confidence under pressure. However, marked progress became visible following evaluations and continued training.

"After his first event, his mental game grew significantly. Upon entering the U-12 category, thank God, he managed to secure first place in 2025 and again in 2026," he said.

Miftah notes this mental development follows the improvement of his technical skills, observing that Al Fatih possesses potential that continues to outpace his peers.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes that consistency remains a critical area for ongoing improvement.

"An athlete's success is dictated by discipline and consistency. He still has moments where that consistency wavers, and those are the areas we continue to work on together," he stated.

Miftah believes that developing young athletes is a vital investment for the future of the sport. The more competitions available, the greater the opportunity to develop a new generation of athletes capable of competing at the national and international levels.

School Support for Athlete Development

Beyond family and coaches, the school plays a pivotal role in Al Fatih’s journey.

The Principal of MI Muhammadiyah Al Tanbih Kudus, Suryanto, confirmed that the school is committed to providing every student with opportunities for growth in both academic and non-academic fields.

For students participating in championships, the school provides academic dispensations, guidance, and cost-sharing with parents to ensure that sports activities do not become a burden.

"We encourage all our children to achieve. We fully support Fatih as he participates in various championships," he said.

He noted that athletic achievement goes beyond medals to shape character. He observes that students actively involved in sports training tend to be more disciplined, polite, helpful to peers, and adept at collaboration.

To maintain a balance between academics and training, the school offers flexibility through online learning when students must travel for out-of-town competitions. Meanwhile, extracurricular archery training is held every Saturday, with more frequent sessions scheduled prior to competitions at the Hizbul Wathan Purwosari Field.

Diligent Training Leads to Achievement

The various championships Al Fatih has participated in have not only yielded medals but also broadened his competitive experience. In his two years of archery, he has competed at regional, provincial, and national levels. Each match serves as an opportunity to test himself and learn how to handle opponents with varying skills and temperaments.

Among his medals, his most memorable is the one won at an archery championship held at Universitas Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, following his participation in the MilkLife Archery event around September 2025.

"It was a nice medal, which is why it stands out for me," he said.

Not every competition results in a first-place finish. Al Fatih has also secured second place in the 2025 Fespati League Pantura 1 Chapter in the U-12 Horsebow category and the 2025 MilkLife Archery Challenge Series 1 in the U-12 PVC category. At the provincial level, he gained further experience by taking third place in the 2026 Fespati Regional Championship in the U-12 Horsebow category. For Al Fatih, each tournament is a space to learn, evaluate his progress, and prepare for future challenges.

Despite his podium finishes, Al Fatih admits that national-level championships remain his greatest challenge. He notes that these competitions feature top-tier athletes from across provinces, requiring greater technical precision, mental strength, and focus.

Off the field, Al Fatih lives as a typical 11-year-old. He enjoys playing soccer with friends, visiting his grandfather, eating seblak, and aspires to join the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).

For children looking to follow in his footsteps in the world of archery, Al Fatih offers a simple piece of advice.

"Train often, work on your mental game, focus, and be consistent."

Ahmad Maulana Umar Al Fatih's journey highlights that an athlete's growth is defined not merely by his medal count, but by a process of continuous learning. Through consistent training, competitive experience, and the support of his family, coaches, and school, he continues to evolve as a promising young archer while preparing for higher-level competitions. (FZ/mainkekudus)