UNS — The Pencak Silat team of Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta has achieved remarkable success on the international stage. At the 25th Belgian Open Pencak Silat Championship 2026, held in Scooten, Belgium, from April 24–26, 2026, the UNS team secured a total of 8 medals, consisting of 2 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 3 bronze medals.
The UNS team, composed of 8 athletes and 1 official who also served as the team manager, delivered a solid and spirited performance. Most of the athletes are students who previously demonstrated outstanding achievements at the National Student Sports Week (POPNAS), bringing strong competitive experience to the international level.
The Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Research, and Student Affairs of the Faculty of Sports (FKOR) UNS, Dr. Rony Syaifullah, M.Pd., stated that this achievement is clear evidence of the quality of athlete development at UNS, particularly within FKOR, which consistently encourages students to excel not only at the national level but also internationally. Participation in this championship also aligns with the university’s commitment to achieving Key Performance Indicators (IKU), especially in enhancing student achievements at the international level.
“With that spirit, the athletes underwent intensive training for approximately one month at FKOR UNS. The training program focused on improving techniques, match strategies, physical conditioning, and mental readiness to face opponents from various countries,” Dr. Rony explained.
The journey to the championship was not without challenges. However, these obstacles did not diminish the athletes’ and coaching team’s determination. Through close collaboration with FKOR UNS, a cost-sharing scheme was implemented to ensure the team’s participation. Support from external parties in the form of sponsorship also played a crucial role in making this international participation possible. The synergy between the university, faculty, and sponsors highlights the importance of collaboration in supporting student athletic achievements.
Throughout the competition, the UNS athletes demonstrated high fighting spirit, discipline, and commendable sportsmanship. Each match was approached with careful strategy to achieve the best possible results. The medals earned are not only individual achievements but also a source of pride for the institution and Indonesia.
This accomplishment is expected to inspire other UNS students to continue striving for excellence and to compete confidently on the global stage. It also further strengthens UNS’s position as a university committed to fostering student potential across various fields, including pencak silat. UNS extends its congratulations to the team for bringing honor to both the university and the nation.
HUMAS UNS
