North Sumatra Targets 40 Medals During The Self-Defense PON Event In Kudus

The handover of the flag by the General Chairperson of the Central KONI Marciano Norman to Cecep Arif Rahman, the Brand Ambassador of the Kudus Self Defense PON 2025 at the opening at the Kaliputu Djarum Arena, in Kudus. (Photo: ANTARA)

The North Sumatra (North Sumatra) contingent targets to win 40 medals at the 2025 National Sports Week (PON) which will take place at the Djarum Kaliputu Arena Sports Hall, Kudus Regency, Central Java.

"The target of 40 medals, both gold, silver, and bronze is a realistic target because at the 21st PON event held in Aceh and North Sumatra in 2024 we won fourth place," said North Sumatra National Sports Committee (KONI) Chairman Hatunggal Siregar as reported by ANTARA, Sunday, October 12.

Hatunggal said the North Sumatra contingent was strengthened by 202 people, consisting of 120 athletes and the rest were coaches, officials, and support teams.

Of the total athletes, 29 are athletes of the North Sumatra KONI Intensive Development Program (PPI) who previously won medals at the XXI Aceh PON 2024. Meanwhile, dozens of other athletes are non-PPI athletes who are prepared as promotion and relegation events towards PON XXII/2028 in NTB and NTT.

"PPI athletes are gold, silver and bronze medalists at last PON. We continue to train them through regional training from July to December 2025, so that they remain ready and accomplished," he said.

He added that the 2025 Self-Defense PON is a warm-up event to measure athletes' abilities as well as training evaluation materials towards the 2028 PON.

The four main sports that North Sumatra participated in were taekwondo, wrestling, judo, and fighting degrees, as well as six other branches whose total involved more than 100 martial athletes.

According to Hatunggal, North Sumatra also received full support from the Governor of North Sumatra Bobby Nasution, both in the form of training facilitation and contingent departures.

He hopes that all athletes maintain sportsmanship and make this event a forum to strengthen the mentality of the champion.

"We came not only to compete, but to show the spirit of sportsmanship. Avoid unnecessary things, maintain the good name of North Sumatra. We also invite North Sumatran residents in Kudus and its surroundings to provide support to athletes," he said.

Dia menambahkan, selain mengejar target 40 medali, KONI Sumut juga menjadikan PON Bela Diri 2025 ini sebagai ajang evaluasi pembinaan atlet dan regenerasi.

Atlet yang berprestasi di ajang ini akan dipertahankan dalam program PPI 2026 dan terus dibina secara berjenjang hingga PON 2028.

"Kami ingin menciptakan sistem pembinaan berkelanjutan. Siapa pun yang menunjukkan prestasi akan terus kami bina agar bisa membawa nama Sumut di tingkat nasional," ujarnya.

Dari target 40 medali, di antaranya medali emas 14 medali, selebihnya medali perunggu maupun perak.

Sedangkan cabang olahraga andalan mendulang medali emas, yakni wushu, selain gulat, sambo, dan pencak silat.

He added, in addition to pursuing the target of 40 medals, KONI North Sumatra also made the 2025 Self-Defense PON a place to evaluate athlete development and regeneration.

Athletes who excel in this event will be maintained in the 2026 PPI program and continue to be coached in stages until the 2028 PON.

"We want to create a sustainable coaching system. Anyone who shows achievements will continue to be fostered so that they can carry the name of North Sumatra at the national level," he said.

From the target of 40 medals, including the gold medal of 14 medals, the rest are bronze and silver medals.

Meanwhile, the mainstay sport has won gold medals, namely wushu, in addition to wrestling, sambo, and pencak silat.