Back to the Homeland, Chantika Wins Two Gold Medals in Swimming
Reported by Aldi Geri Lumban Tobing | Translated by
Adelia Chantika Aulia became the spotlight on the first day of the POPNAS XVII 2025 swimming competition at the Gelora Bung Karno Aquatic Stadium in Jakarta.
I can handle it
This first-year student at SMA Muhammadiyah 3 in Jakarta immediately showed a brilliant performance in the swimming pool. She had just returned to the homeland after competing at the Asian Youth Games Bahrain 2025.
In Bahrain, she proved her quality as one of Indonesia's best young swimmers. She successfully contributed a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke and a bronze in the 4x100 meter relay.
Jakarta Cycling Wins Four Medals at POPNAS 2025That international achievement did not get to be celebrated for long. She only had one day to rest before he had to return to compete at POPNAS, a 'back-to-back' situation that young athletes her age rarely experience.
Despite being tired, she showed a champion's spirit and performed remarkably. She successfully won two gold medals simultaneously in the women's 200-meter backstroke and 50-meter freestyle events.
"I could say I'm tired, but Insya Allah (God willing), I can handle it," she stressed, Tuesday (11/4).
Her flying hours are already quite remarkable at POPNAS. In the previous edition in Palembang in 2023, she also won two golds along with a silver and bronze. This year, she is aiming for a higher target.
With four days of matches remaining and performance continuously maintained, Chantika's chance to break her personal record is very high.
"This time, at POPNAS, I competed in six individual events and relay events as well. I participated in a total of eight events. Insya Allah, I am aiming for eight gold medals," she admitted.
