Syabilla Rizkia Putri Raharja, a 2023 student at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), has achieved a remarkable accomplishment at the 2025 National Invitational for Measurable Sports for University Students.
At the championship held at GOR Bulungan, Jakarta, on June 10–12, Syabilla proudly brought home two medals: a silver in the 50-meter backstroke and a bronze in the 100-meter backstroke.
Syabilla expressed her pride in representing Universitas Gadjah Mada at the championship. “As a UGM student, I feel proud to represent my university. This is my way of giving back to the institution that has supported my growth,” she said.
She explained that this swimming competition, organized by the Jakarta Provincial Office of Youth and Sports and the Indonesian University Sports Development Agency (BAPOMI), was attended by participants from more than 30 universities across Indonesia.
After competing intensely for three consecutive days, Syabilla emphasized that the championship was not just about winning but also served as a personal benchmark for her as an athlete.
“I also have personal goals in the world of sports, and this championship has become a crucial moment to measure my progress as an athlete,” she added.
Swimming is nothing new to Syabilla. She has been familiar with the sport since elementary school. Despite her busy university life and active involvement in UGM’s Swimming Student Activity Unit (UKM Renang), she continues to train regularly four times a week, both in the morning and evening.
“Since starting university, I’ve tried to maintain a consistent training schedule, eat nutritious food, and get enough sleep. Because swimming is a measurable sport, I prepare myself with routine training to build endurance. I strive to balance academics and non-academics. Alhamdulillah, everything has gone well,” explained Syabilla.
Thanks to her discipline and dedication, Syabilla has achieved a series of impressive accomplishments, including:
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Bronze medal at the 2024 National Finswimming Championship in Palembang
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5th place at the 2024 National Sports Week (PON) in Aceh–North Sumatra in the finswimming category
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Gold medal at the 2024 National University Swimming Championship in Makassar
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Gold medal at the 2023 National University Swimming Championship in Makassar
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Gold medal at the 2023 Central Java Provincial Sports Week (Porprov)
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Gold medal at the 2023 Gadjah Mada Competition (Inter-university level)
Her journey has not always been smooth. The recent win reminded her of the disappointment at the 2024 PON in Aceh–North Sumatra, where she took a leave of absence from university to focus on the competition but only finished fifth.
“That was a really low point, but I believe God didn’t bring me this far just to fail. I got back up, resumed training, and worked to improve my academic performance,” she recalled.
The successes and setbacks she experienced have taught her valuable lessons in perseverance and consistency — a turning point that has strengthened her mental resilience and motivation.
“It’s okay to fail today. For me, true victory doesn’t only belong to the champions, but to those who keep trying, endure, stay consistent, and rise to become a better version of themselves,” she emphasized.
Interestingly, Syabilla believes her studies in psychology have helped her grow mentally as an athlete. The biggest challenges for athletes, she says, aren’t just physical — they’re psychological, such as pre-race nerves, pressure to win, or the emotional toll of failure. This is where psychology becomes highly relevant.
“I’m very proud to be a UGM Psychology student. In the future, I want to use what I’ve learned to support other athletes who may be feeling like failures or are losing hope in chasing their dreams — because I’ve been there too.”
Syabilla hopes to continue training consistently in preparation for upcoming national championships, especially with a big goal: the next PON.
“I want to prove that UGM Psychology students can also excel outside academics. I hope this victory isn’t just a personal win, but also a source of pride for my Faculty and my alma mater, Universitas Gadjah Mada,” she concluded.
Writer: Erna Tri Nofiyana
Photo: Personal Documentation