Singaraja- I Kadek Agus Suardana, a student at the Ganesha University of Education (Undiksha) who won five medals at the 2019 AWbF University Woodball Championship and the 2019 7th Korea Open International Woodball Championship, met the Vice Chancellor III of Undiksha, Prof. Dr. I Wayan Suastra, M.Pd., in his office, Friday (21/6/2019). The performance of the sport of woodball has apparently been able to provide life changes for the families of students in the eighth semester of the English Language Education Study Program.
When talking, his enthusiastic face still radiated. His smile was still very bright. Showing pride in the achievements that have been achieved. It was as if the tiredness of traveling from South Korea for hours had disappeared. At the short meeting, this student from Selat Village, Sukasada District shared various stories, a glimpse of his struggle to take part in this prestigious competition. “I’m quite proud to be a representative of Indonesia and Undiksha,” he said.
Due to his brilliant achievements, he, who is targeting graduation in August 2019, was offered a scholarship to study Master’s at Undiksha. This was welcomed positively and is hoped to be realized. Apart from that, these three student brothers have their own story thanks to the sport of woodball. He, who was born into an underprivileged family, has had talent since childhood. In 2013, for the first time, he was appointed to take part in the Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) representing Buleleng Regency, his homeland. He, who was still in high school at that time, appeared full of confidence and managed to win two gold medals. This achievement did not make him immediately satisfied. What happened was that he became “addicted” to getting more involved in the sport of woodball. In 2015, he again appeared at the Asian University and Indonesia Open events. As a result, they won gold, silver, and bronze medals with one each. There is also pocket money. “My interest is getting bigger and bigger to take part in the championship,” he said.
In 2017, he was again trusted to represent Buleleng Regency in the Porprov event in Gianyar Regency. At that time, his hard work bore sweet fruit. He won three gold medals and was also named the best woodball athlete. Apart from this prestigious championship, many national championships have also been tried out. Various achievements have also been made. From woodball, the son of I Komang Sudita and Ni Ketut Yoni Artini also took part in the championship in China and joined the National Team, after being “proposed” by Pertamina shortly after taking part in the championship in Batam. “I’ve also been to Malaysia. “Until now, more than 70 medals have been won,” he said.
The results obtained by the Undiksha Lab High School Alumni from Woodball are not only to meet their own living needs. However, it is also able to support the family’s economy. There are for home repairs and ceremony costs. “I come from an underprivileged family. “The results I got when I became champion were used to help my parents,” he said.
Having participated in the championship several times, he also had an experience that will not be forgotten. One of them is in the championship in South Korea. The initial point, which is quite far away from Hong Kong, which is a tough opponent, can be overtaken and can even be exceeded. “At the start, there was a six-point gap. Armed with enthusiasm and staying focused, you can beat your opponent. If we fight until the end, nothing is impossible. That’s my principle. The Korean Open also initially ranked ninth in the preliminaries. Because he was so enthusiastic, he was able to rise to third place. “This is an achievement that I will never forget,” he added. (hms)
