Singaraja – The achievements made by Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Undiksha) students towards the end of 2021 are not only from innovation events or written works. The latest achievement also came from the 2nd East Jakarta Virtual Art Pencak Silat National Festival Championship presented by Dictyo Renaldi, A.A. Putu Herika Tungga Patni, and Putu Sonia Erlinawati. The three members of the Pencak Silat Student Activity Unit (UKM) presented two gold medals and one silver medal.
This national event took place on October 30 and 31, 2021. It was recorded that there were around 740 participants who took part, consisting of elementary, junior high, high school, college, and general levels with individual male and female singles categories, male and female doubles, and groups. From Undiksha sent three athletes for individual category matches. From that, Dictyo Renaldi and A.A. won the gold medal. Putu Herika Tungga Patni. Putu Sonia Erlinawati won the silver medal. They display traditional artistic movements in which each athlete moves the moves in the Pencak silat college that they are engaged in.
Dictyo Renaldi said it took about three weeks to prepare for the competition. In addition, there is also additional practice time to present the best. “The preparation starts from the process of assembling movements, floor patterns, and adjusting to music. It’s a bit more difficult because you have to adjust motion and music and choose the right traditional music,” he said.
His efforts finally paid off sweetly. This achievement is recognized as a very valuable experience as well as a motivation to continue to improve one’s quality so that one can appear in other events and be able to make achievements. “Because we want to preserve culture and at the same time make Undiksha proud by optimistically practicing and working hard to achieve victory,” he said.
In line with Agung Herika. He admitted that he was highly motivated to pursue achievements despite the pandemic. “If there is a chance, I will try,” he said. This Economics Faculty-student said that Pencak silat had become his passion since elementary school. “From this sport, it is taught to take care of oneself. Not only with kicks and punches but also with slams, sweeps, cuts, locking movements that seem easy but deadly, and so on. Even though Pencak silat is a form of self-defense, it may also teach noble character,” he added.
The coach, Ni Luh Putu Spyanawati, S.Pd., M.Pd., said that the national Pencak silat festival is an event to regenerate the interest of athletes and fighters to learn about traditional silat. “Traditional silat that has been almost forgotten is being brought up again and in demand by the younger generation. As a coach, I appreciate the enthusiasm of the students; in the midst of busy lectures, they are still eager to practice and come to Singaraja,” she said. She is also proud of the achievements of her fostered students. It is hoped that more achievements will be made in various competitions. Rector of Undiksha, Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Jampel, M.Pd., expressed his appreciation for this achievement. He invited all students and lecturers to continue working in order to increase the competitiveness of universities and individuals. (lpsy)
