Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) student Yuki Shafa Maheswari won two silver medals at the 7th National Police Chief Cup Taekwondo Championship, held July 9–12, 2026, at the Indoor Stadium in South Tangerang, Banten.
Representing the UGM Taekwondo Student Activity Unit, Maheswari competed in the Senior Women’s Individual Recognized Poomsae and Senior Women’s Team Recognized Poomsae events. The national championship brought together 2,098 athletes from across Indonesia.
Maheswari, a 2024 Information Technology student in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the UGM Faculty of Engineering, said she was delighted with the result, particularly as she had only one week to prepare after learning she would compete.
With limited preparation time, she focused on intensive training, repeatedly reviewing her techniques while maintaining her diet and physical condition through strength training at the gym. She also recorded many of her training sessions to evaluate her performance and identify areas for improvement.
“I often asked my mother to record my training sessions and competitions so I could review them afterward. Before the competition, I also practiced positive affirmations to help myself perform the techniques well,” she said on Monday (Jul. 27).
The two silver medals also gave Maheswari greater confidence in her ability to compete at a higher level. She said the experience encouraged her to train more consistently and prepare herself for future competitions.
“I feel much more confident now, and I train more consistently so that I’m ready to compete whenever the opportunity comes,” she said.
The National Police Chief Cup marked Maheswari’s first external competition since joining the UGM Taekwondo Student Activity Unit. She hopes the experience will lead to more opportunities to compete and achieve further success.
“I hope I can participate in more competitions and win many more medals in the future,” she said.
Yaseer Gerard, Chair of the UGM Taekwondo Student Activity Unit, said Maheswari’s achievement reflects the importance of providing students with opportunities to develop their athletic abilities and gain experience in competitive settings.
He emphasized that the student activity unit should serve not merely as a formal extracurricular organization but as a supportive environment where students can develop their skills, confidence, and competitive spirit.
“I hope the student activity unit will continue to consistently serve as a platform that supports athletes who aspire to achieve success at the national level,” he said.
For Maheswari, the two medals represent more than a competition result. Her limited preparation period taught her the importance of discipline, self-evaluation, and mental preparation. The experience has also strengthened her motivation to continue training while pursuing her studies at UGM.
Her achievement shows how student organizations can give students opportunities to develop their talents beyond the classroom while building the confidence and resilience needed to compete at the national level.
Author: Jesi
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Priyanandaningrat
Photo: Yuki’s Documentation