Pencak silat, a martial art that originated from Indonesia, has been nominated by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. Originally coming from West Sumatra and West Java, Pencak silat is not only popular in our country but also worldwide. Recently, athletes from Papua and West Papua won medals at a recent Pencak silat tournament.
Pagar Nusa
Nahdlatul Ulama Pencak silat organization called Pagar Nusa held Pencak Silat National Championship and Pagar Nusa Fourth Festival on March 4 until March 6. Many athletes from various regions in Indonesia, including Papua and West Papua, joined the tournament that was held at Wisma Kemnaker Ciloto, Cianjur, West Java.
PKB DPP’s deputy general secretary Risharyudi Triwibowo, who also officiates as the General Treasurer of the Pagar Nusa Central Executive Board, released a written statement concerning the event. In the statement, Triwibowo stated that there are a lot of new adaptations during the National Championship and Pagar Nusa Fourth Festival since the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet ended.
The adjustment was focused on the matches, staging, and even the audiences and carried out by the championship and festival’s committee through online and offline. Triwibowo later added that this year’s championship and festival was accomplished independently. There are two divisions during Pagar Nusa Pencak Silat National Championship, namely Pencak Silat Achievement and Pencak Silat Tradition.
Papua and West Papua Won Two Medals
Papua and West Papua joined twenty two contingents from different provinces throughout Indonesia who took part at 2022 Pagar Nusa Pencak Silat National Championship. According to the head of Pagar Nusa for the Papua region, Muhamad Zainuri Thoha, who is usually called Ustaz Zen, Papua and West Papua sent twelve contingents – six males and six females.
The twelve contingents competed in three matched categories, Jurus Baku group categories, Jurus Wudhu, and WD (Women Doubles) Jurus Baku II.
Nuruz Zahrotus Shita, Tsalsabila Tri Khairizzah, and Syakira Zahwa Alhamid achieved a bronze medal for Jurus Wudhu group. Ustaz Zen later added that Anggi Sukmawati and Karin Wulan Maulana also landed third place and brought home a bronze medal for WD (Women Doubles) Jurus Baku II.
On the achievement, Muslimin, the chief of the Papua’s contingents revealed that the Papuan representatives had trained hard to gain the winning during the prestigious event. Muslimin also added that several months before the National Championship, the Pencak silat athletes from Papua and West Papua trained hard by focusing on physical and mental training. They also added the training schedule, from twice a week to four times a week.
Other Papua and West Papua’s Achievement on Pencak Silat
Before winning the bronze medals at Pagar Nusa, Papuan athlete Putra Hidayana won a gold medal at Pekan Olahraga Nasional (PON) or National Sports Week XX Papua 2021. Hidayana won Male J class final (90-95 kilograms) after beating an athlete from Yogyakarta Firdhana W.P.
Hidayana became the only host who contributed a gold medal for Pencak silat on the final day of Pencak Silat PON Papua. His three Papuan contingents Tiel Tarapois, Ivhon Eritetena, and Satria Jambrud lost during the final match. Still, they succeeded in bringing home the silver medals.
Taraipos lost to West Java athlete Yudani Kusumah in Male Class D (60-65 kilograms), while Eritetena was defeated by Pipiet Kamelia from DKI Jakarta in Female Class D (60-65 kilograms). As for Jambrud, he must admit the victory of Eka Yulianto from West Java.
Papua and West Papua keep improving and catching up. Not only in the infrastructure aspect, but the government of Cenderawasih Island also continues developing the quality of their human resources.
