DIY's Barongsai Team Wins Gold At XXI/2024 PON With Perfect Performance

The Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) Barongsai Team won a gold medal in the Free Taolu Dragon number at the XXI/2024 National Sports Week (PON) which was held at the Martial Arts Arena, North Sumatra Sport Center Complex, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, on Saturday, September 7. This success marked an extraordinary achievement for the DIY team who for the first time participated in the PON and immediately won gold.

In that match, DIY managed to score at the end of 9.30 after displaying 22 levels of difficulty without making mistakes until the end of the show. This success brought DIY to the first position, outperforming other competing teams.

The second position or silver medal was won by West Sumatra (West Sumatra) with a final score of 9.27. Despite displaying 20 levels of trouble without mistakes, West Sumatra had to settle for second place. Meanwhile, Central Java won a bronze medal with a final score of 9.08. The Central Java team displayed 25 levels of difficulty, but one light mistake caused them to fall to third position.

Anggara Adi Suwasana, coach of the DIY Barongsai Team for the Free Taolu Naga number, expressed his pride for the team's achievements. He stressed that this success was the result of consistent eight-month routine training without quarantine, but with a high intensity of training, five times a week.

"This is the first time participating in the PON, and we have won a gold medal. The preparations we are doing are very disciplined, especially the consistency and commitment of the athletes," said Anggara.

Anggara also explained that his team focused on the free Naga Taolu number, and that all exercises were directed at this number in accordance with the judging book set by the Indonesian Lion Dance Federation (FOBI).

In addition, he hopes that this success can attract the attention of the government and KONI to provide further support, both in the form of assistance, guidance, as well as the provision of adequate facilities and infrastructure to support DIY Barongsai athletes in the future.

One of the dragon football players of the DIY Barongsai Team, Jasmine Azhari Findra Kendaga, also expressed her pride for the team's achievements. Even though she made several mistakes during training, Jasmine was satisfied because the team managed to perform perfectly and achieve the target.

"Certainly very proud, we have come all the way from Yogyakarta here and finally got gold. The important thing is that we play clean without making any mistakes, and obviously according to the target value," said Jasmine, who also works as an entrepreneur.

With this success, the DIY Barongsai Team hopes to continue to make their area proud and participate in international events in the future.