Central Java Dominates Pencak Silat at Pomnas 2025

The Central Java contingent claimed the overall championship title in the pencak silat competition at the 2025 National Student Sports Week (Pomnas) XIX, held in Surakarta. The title was secured after the host region’s athletes dominated the medal standings with a haul of 8 golds, 3 silvers, and 7 bronzes.

Head coach of the Central Java team, Dr. Nur Subekti, M.Or., expressed his gratitude for the victory, saying it was the result of consistent effort and in line with their target to become overall champions in pencak silat.

“For us, being overall champions is the achievement of the entire team. This is the result of hard work from everyone, not only me as a coach, not only the athletes, but also the universities that supported this athlete development,” said Nur Subekti on Friday (26/9/2025) at the event’s closing ceremony.

According to him, DKI Jakarta proved to be a tough rival. The Jakarta contingent finished as runner-up in the 2025 Pomnas pencak silat competition with 4 golds, 8 silvers, and 2 bronzes.

The tally of 8 gold medals marks a new record in Pomnas pencak silat history, and Nur Subekti hopes it can be maintained. “But it can also be improved, because Pomnas are held every two years. This serves as an evaluation for us in our training and development efforts. After all, Pomnas is the main target for our student-athletes,” he explained.

Previously, Central Java had secured the overall championship title in 2022 in Padang with 5 gold medals. Then, in 2023 in South Kalimantan, Central Java placed second overall with a total of 4 gold medals.

Muhammad Faizal Ivanda wins gold in pencak silat at Pomnas XIX for Central Java, 26 September 2025.

Central Java pencak silat athlete Muhammad Faizal Ivanda, competing in the men’s class F category, expressed his pride at being trusted to strengthen the team. The athlete, commonly known as Faizal, cherished the moment when the gold medal was placed around his neck.

According to him, every match has its own level of difficulty. However, the toughest opponent is actually oneself. Overcoming doubt and fear often becomes the biggest challenge.

“For the training camp, we had about half a month of preparation specifically for Pomnas, but for the long term it’s been a year of continuous training leading up to this peak,” said Faizal.

He also set his sights on joining the national training camp (pelatnas). “The next target, Insyallah, is to advance to the national training camp, Insyallah,” Faizal hoped.

Writer: Fika Annisa Solihah

Editor: Maysali Sudarwati

Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid