Syabilla Rizkia Putri Raharja (Syabilla), a student at the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada, achieved outstanding success at the 2025 National University Invitational Swimming Championship.
Syabilla secured two medals: a silver in the 50-meter backstroke and a bronze in the 100-meter backstroke. The competition took place at GOR Bulungan, Jakarta, from June 10 to 12, 2025.
This accomplishment adds to the growing list of national-level achievements by her, who has previously excelled in the 2024 National Finswimming Championship, the Inter-University Swimming Championship, and the Central Java Provincial Sports Week.
Syabilla shared that her latest win is not only proof of her training consistency but also a form of contribution to her alma mater.
“As a UGM student, I am proud to represent the university. This is my way of contributing and making my institution proud for supporting my development,” she said on Monday (Jul. 15).
Syabilla has been involved in swimming since elementary school. In addition to her academic pursuits, she is an active member of the UGM Swimming Student Activity Unit (UKM Renang UGM). She trains consistently four times a week while maintaining a balanced diet, proper rest, and academic routines.
“I strive to maintain a balance between academic and non-academic life. Alhamdulillah, everything has been going well,” she explained.
This latest success is significant following her less-than-ideal performance at the 2024 National Sports Week (PON) in Aceh and North Sumatra, where she finished fifth even after taking a break from university to focus on the competition fully. Rather than discouraging her, the experience became a turning point in building her mental resilience and competitive spirit.
“For me, true victory belongs to those who remain consistent, rise after setbacks, and keep fighting to become the best version of themselves,” she affirmed.
Syabilla also highlighted how her studies in psychology have helped shape her mindset as an athlete, particularly in managing pressure, maintaining focus during competition, and coping with disappointment.
“I’m very proud to be a Psychology student at UGM. In the future, I want to use what I’ve learned to support other athletes who may be struggling or feeling hopeless in pursuing their dreams, because I’ve been in that position myself,” she added.
Looking ahead, Syabilla is preparing to compete in more national championships, with her main goal set on the upcoming PON. She hopes her achievements will inspire fellow UGM students to continue striving for excellence both academically and non-academically.
Author: Bolivia Rahmawati
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Bendina
Photograph: Syabila Rizkia Putri