A Total Of 12 Junior Athletes Undergo Pertambami National Training For GAMMA World MMA Championships 2024

The martial arts athlete PB Pertambami Jerico Moi (doc. PB Pertacami).

JAKARTA A total of 12 junior athletes from the Executive Board of the Indonesian Mixed Fighting Association (PB Pertacami) underwent a national training camp (pelatnas) in preparation to represent Indonesia at the GAMMA World MMA Championships 2024 on 6-14 December 2024.

The two names included in the fire were Jerico Moi and Rico Sanusi. Both were called to participate in physical forging at the National Training Center after winning the gold medal in the 2024 MMA National Championships Pertambami I Cup.

Jerico probably wouldn't be at this national training if he didn't get his father's blessing, who is also a former kickboxing athlete.

The story of his father as a former athlete was only discovered by Jerico when he was 15 years old.

The desire to follow self-defense began sticking out in Jerico's mind after his experience of seeing karate Christians, kickboxing, and muaythai. He then expressed his intentions to his father, but did not receive attention.

"It's just that there has been no response, there has been no response. Finally, my parents opened up the past (that) my father used to be an athlete," said Jerico.

Jerico has actually started to be interested in martial arts, such as karate, kickboxing, and muaythai since he was 13 years old. However, his father did not heed the desire to pursue these sports at first.

However, the young man who was born in Sorong, Papua, was not broken. He continued to beg his father to be included in martial arts exercises.

In the end, the hard work paid off two years later.

"In the past, he said that the athlete was worthless in Indonesia. There is no self-respect because it is considered normal like that, it cannot be proud of Indonesia's name," said Jerico.

The story of switching is not only about his father's work in the ring, Jerico also knows a lot how his father is often underestimated.

You see, the athlete profession used to be underestimated in Indonesia. In fact, those who achieve achievements in the international arena are not necessarily guaranteed for their future.

The sad story of his father had made Jerico a little afraid. However, the fire of the spirit was not completely extinguished.

Family is his biggest reason to move forward. Moreover, he was forged in a gym built by his own father, who is currently affiliated with the Simalungun Siantar Club (PSSC) Statue.

Athletes 16 years old were initially in doubt of their seriousness. However, since he was deemed appropriate by his father, Jerico has also begun to be completely forged by PSSC, a club that has so far given birth to several seeds of national athletes.

At the 2024 PB Pertambami U-18 National Championship, four athletes from the club were covered in gold medals, including Jerico.

As for now, Jerico has won several titles ranging from the Regional Championship level to the last PB National Championship Pertacami U-18 in May 2024.

"My biggest motivation is indeed from my parents. I aspire to realize his dream (father) back in my youth."

"I will not waste the time and opportunity that has been given, I will take it all," said Jerico.

In three pieces of money with Jerico, Rico's journey came to a similar point because of the athlete's blood in his family circle.

One of them is Jeremia Siregar, a former flying class national MMA champion, who is his uncle.

The young man who was born in Sidikalang has known MMA since he was in junior high school (SMP). Rico's charisma was triggered every time he saw his uncle fighting in the ring.

This experience had an unpleasant impact that Rico experienced at school. He becomes often involved in fights, both with fellow students at school and students from other schools.

As a result, not once or twice Rico's parents had to deal with the school's Counseling Officer because of that.

The act made his father and mother angry so that they "expelled" Rico from home.

The journey then took Rico to leave Sumatra Island and land in Bekasi. It was in that city that he then met Jeremia in 2022, a meeting that succeeded in bringing him to become the athlete he is now.

"Now I have a goal. Of course, first I want to make my parents happy."

"I will train hard. I will realize my dream of becoming an accomplished athlete. I will take part in events," said Rico.

Apart from exploring muaythai, Rico also dived in wushu in the sanda category. As a result, to this day he has won four titles, one of which is to become a champion in Muaythai Bogor, the 2023 Police Chief.