KUDUS – At just 11 years old, Ahmad Maulana Umar Al Fatih has cultivated a disciplined routine. After finishing school, he skips leisure time, dedicating his afternoons to archery practice. This commitment has established him as a standout young archer from Kudus, earning titles in both PVC and Horsebow disciplines.
His notable achievements include securing first place in the MilkLife Archery Challenge Series 2, 2025, and repeating as first place winner in the MilkLife Archery Challenge Series 1, 2026, in the U-12 PVC category.
A sixth-grade student at MI Muhammadiyah Al Tanbih Kudus, Al Fatih did not reach these heights overnight. Each medal represents months of near-daily training, personal sacrifice, and consistent support from his family, coaches, and school. This journey has transformed him into a developing athlete with each successive tournament.
Residing in Pasuruhan Kidul Village, Jati District, Kudus, Al Fatih enjoys a typical childhood outside of school and practice, including playing soccer, badminton, visiting his grandparents, or spending time with friends. Yet, his afternoons remain reserved for the field, where he refines his technique in preparation for future competitions.
Al Fatih’s archery career began about two years ago, between his third and fourth grades, introduced by his father. At the time, he was unsure if he would enjoy the sport.
“I was hesitant at first, but I grew to enjoy it over time,” he said.
His interest deepened with practice. For him, archery is more than just a hobby; it is a gateway to competitive success.
“I want to join competitions and earn achievements,” he added.
From that initial curiosity, Al Fatih began consistent training with clubs and communities including Kwaci, Panahmu, and the Traditional Archery Art Federation of Indonesia (Fespati) Kudus.
Currently, he competes in two categories: PVC and Horsebow. The PVC category utilizes bows made of polyvinyl chloride, a lightweight material often used to teach fundamental techniques to young athletes. Conversely, Horsebow is a traditional archery discipline using bows without sights or stabilizers, requiring athletes to rely on instinct, motor coordination, and consistent practice to achieve precision.
Competing in two different categories has required Al Fatih to adapt his technique, training rhythm, and adjust to the unique characteristics of different bows. This experience serves as a crucial part of his development as a young athlete.
The Hizbul Wathan (HW) field in Purwosari Village, Kota District, is where Al Fatih most frequently trains. It is there that he spends much of his time each afternoon after school.
His uncle, Abdul Aziz, who is also an archer, first introduced him to the basics of the sport. Under his guidance, Al Fatih learned proper bow handling, drawing techniques, posture, and release mechanics before later pursuing further training with coaches at his club and school.
Now, his training schedule is nearly daily. After school, from approximately 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM WIB, he heads straight to the field. Sessions cover more than just aiming; they focus on concentration, competitive mindset, drawing technique, and physical fitness.
For Al Fatih, the training challenges are most engaging when his coaches set specific performance targets.
“Winning a prize makes it even more motivating,” he said with a smile.
As competitions approach, training intensity increases. Beyond longer hours, he meticulously inspects his equipment, paying special attention to his arrows. He believes arrows must remain perfectly straight, as even minor deformities can affect flight path and shot accuracy.
The rigorous training schedule has not deterred Al Fatih from his academic responsibilities. He notes that he has become accustomed to managing his time between school and his sport.
“I am in school from morning until afternoon, then train in the evening. I am used to it,” he said.
This routine has taught him time management from an early age. Once his school day concludes, he immediately shifts his focus to the training sessions that have become a staple of his daily life.
School support is a vital factor in maintaining that balance. Teachers provide constant encouragement and often accompany him to various tournaments. His classmates are also aware of his status as an archer, providing a strong support system for him.
In school, Al Fatih’s favorite subjects are Natural and Social Sciences (IPAS). Outside of sports, he has an interest in technology, often spending his free time learning coding for website development.
Al Fatih’s achievements are not defined by technical skill alone; his participation in various competitions has shaped his competitive mentality.
Physical education teacher and archery coach at MI Muhammadiyah Al Tanbih Kudus, Miftahul Ridho, has closely monitored Al Fatih’s progress since his first tournament.
According to Ridho, when Al Fatih competed in the MilkLife Archery event at age 10, he still needed to adapt, particularly in building competitive confidence. However, following evaluations and further training, marked progress became evident.
"After one event, his mentality grew significantly. When he moved into the U-12 category, thank God he managed to win first place in 2025, and followed it up with another first-place finish in 2026," he said.
Miftah believes this mental development has occurred in tandem with his technical improvement, noting that Al Fatih possesses potential that continues to outpace his peers.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that consistency remains an area for improvement.
"An athlete's success is determined by discipline and consistency. There are still moments where he lacks consistency, and that is what we are working on together," he stated.
Miftah added that developing athletes from a young age is a crucial investment for the future of archery, as more competitions create greater opportunities to produce a new generation capable of competing at national and international levels.
Beyond family and coaches, the school plays a pivotal role in Al Fatih’s journey.
Principal of MI Muhammadiyah Al Tanbih Kudus, Suryanto, stated that the school is committed to providing every student with opportunities to grow in both academic and non-academic fields.
The school provides academic dispensations, mentorship, and cost-sharing with parents to ensure students can participate in championships without undue burden.
"We encourage all our students to excel. We fully support Fatih as he participates in various championships," he said.
He believes that athletic achievement not only brings home medals but also shapes character. He noted that students active in sports training typically exhibit greater discipline, politeness, and a stronger sense of teamwork and helpfulness.
To maintain a balance between academics and training, the school offers flexible online learning for students competing out of town. Meanwhile, extracurricular archery training is held every Saturday at the Hizbul Wathan Purwosari field, with increased intensity leading up to competitions.
Al Fatih’s participation in various championships has enriched his competitive experience. In his two years of archery training, he has competed at regional, provincial, and national levels. Each tournament serves as an opportunity to test his skills and adapt to opponents with varying styles and capabilities.
Among his accolades, the medal he earned at the Universitas Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan in Yogyakarta, following the MilkLife Archery event around September 2025, remains his most memorable.
"It was a nice medal, which is why I remember it the most," he said.
Success has not been limited to top-tier finishes. Al Fatih also secured second place in the 2025 Fespati League Pantura 1 Chapter, U-12 Horsebow category, and the 2025 MilkLife Archery Challenge Series 1, U-12 PVC category. At the provincial level, he added to his credentials by taking third place in the 2026 Fespati Regional Championship, U-12 Horsebow category. For Al Fatih, every championship is a platform to learn, self-evaluate, and prepare for future challenges.
Despite his podium finishes, Al Fatih admits that national-level championships remain his greatest challenge. He believes these competitions, which draw the best athletes from across the country, require superior technical skills, mental fortitude, and heightened focus.
Off the field, Al Fatih lives the life of a typical 11-year-old. He enjoys playing soccer with friends, visiting his grandfather, eating seblak, and harbors an ambition to join the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).
For children looking to follow in his footsteps in archery, Al Fatih offers a simple piece of advice.
"Train often, work on your mental strength and focus, and remain consistent."
The journey of Ahmad Maulana Umar Al Fatih demonstrates that an athlete's development is measured not merely by the number of medals collected, but by a process of continuous learning. Consistent training, competitive experience, and support from his family, coaches, and school serve as the foundation that helps him evolve as a young archer while preparing for challenges at higher levels of competition. (FZ/mainkekudus)
