Andi Jerni, Indonesian Kickboxing Fighter Departs For SEA Games 2025: All For Red And White!

JAKARTA - A young athlete named Andi Jerni or complete Andi Mesyara Jerni Maswara will represent Indonesia in the kickboxing branch at the 2025 SEA Games.

The 26-year-old athlete from West Java has a simple stature, but his passion exudes something big, which is a determination to make Indonesia proud at the 33rd SEA Games.

He was unable to hide his gratitude and emotion after the release of the Indonesian contingent to the 2025 SEA Games at the Merdeka Palace by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto. That day became one of the moments he never imagined would occur in his life journey.

"Thank God, I am very proud. I am very happy and feel really this is an extraordinary opportunity to meet the President."

"With me being an athlete, I got this opportunity, I am very grateful now," he said at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Friday, December 5, 2025.

He said that one of the experiences that made him the most goosebumps was when he realized that he and his colleagues who were present on that occasion represented hundreds of millions of Indonesians.

"One of them is among approximately 300 million Indonesians, we who are here representing all of those people. That is really an encouraging impression, motivating," he said.

No big athlete was born last night, Andi understands that. His journey started from small arenas in the area, where he had to prove that he deserved to go up to the next level.

Every tournament is a stepping stone, every defeat is a lesson, every win is fuel to go further.

"The process is quite long. So first, you have to participate in regional championships first. Then, after the regional championship, participate in provincial championships, participate in PON, there is another selection, and thank God it arrived at this point, at the national training center (national training camp)," said Andi, who started his career as a karate athlete.

This Bugis-blooded woman mentions that at every level of competition, the challenges are not only about physical strength, but also mental.

Fear of failure, pressure to win, to the image of injury ever haunts him. However, Andi Jerni always finds his strongest support, namely family.

"Yes, of course parents, parents, Mama and Father, always wish them all the best. I want to give something maximum at the SEA Games later and try to make them proud," said the son of Andi Zainal and Andi Nurlinda.

The prayer not only gave strength, but became the spiritual identity of an athlete fighting not only for himself, but for those behind him.

He did not hesitate when he mentioned that all the sacrifices he made as hard as he could were a form of devotion to Indonesia.

"If the sacrifice is sweat, tears, all blood has been given. All for Red and White," he said.

There are thousands of hours of training, minor injuries, and various time sacrifices that take away a lot of teen pleasure that children of his age usually enjoy. However, he has no regrets, this path he has chosen, and he has made peace with all his challenges.

In the past, he even felt burdened with increasing expectations. However, time, experience, and flight hours make his mentality more mature.

"Maybe in the past, yes, I felt a bit burdened, but because there were flying hours, thank God I was able to maintain it, finally now I just brought it to enjoy it."

"The biggest dream that is for sure is to win gold for Indonesia at the SEA Games, God willing, if you get more sustenance, I hope you can join the Asian Games until the World Championships," he said with a smile.

He understands that opportunities like this do not come twice. Therefore, seeing every second of the training he goes through with high intensity, Andi does not want to waste the opportunities that have brought him so far.

The meeting with President Prabowo became a source of additional enthusiasm for Andi. He felt that the Government's support really gave positive energy to athletes who would compete abroad.

"My hope is for Mr. President, thank you very much for supporting us, Indonesian athletes. Thank you very much for your enthusiasm for making us motivated, making us excited to compete in Thailand later."

"One more thing, I thank you and ask for prayers for the Indonesian people, for the Indonesian team," he said.