The National Open Tournament Pencak Silat Bandung Lautan Api Championship 3 was held on December 20-21, 2021, at the ITB Sports Hall, Jatinangor Campus, Sumedang. Two students from the Faculty of Islamic Studies (FDI) at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Dimas Muhammad Saeful Faqih and Muhammad Chafid Zakky AlHariry, participated in this prestigious championship.

After battling participants from various regions in Indonesia, both students secured second place: Dimas in Class F (70-75 kg category) and Zakky in Class D (60-65 kg category). Both expressed their gratitude and happiness for this achievement, especially as they finished the competition without any injuries.

Dimas reflected that the tournament was an eye-opener, showing him that some participants were better prepared and more rigorous in their training. He highlighted that the key factors in this competition were extensive experience, dedicated training, and maintaining a stable weight through a proper diet.

Zakky and Dimas employed their trusted strategies, combined with some new techniques. Dimas’s signature moves included scissors and grappling techniques, which have become his hallmark. Having been involved in pencak silat since their Madrasah Aliyah days, it is no surprise that these two FDI champions often return with trophies. Initially, they pursued pencak silat for fitness, body health, and as a supplementary activity alongside their religious studies.

Zakky shared a particular reason for his interest in silat: “It looks exciting, the movements are fascinating, and I wanted to learn self-defense,” he said during an interview on Friday (12/24).

Despite FDI’s academic focus being vastly different from martial arts, this did not deter Zakky and Dimas from continuing their hobby. “Balancing studies and achievements is great. Studying doesn’t have to hinder your hobbies; both can run smoothly as long as you manage your time and prioritize your education,” Dimas explained.

Zakky believes pencak silat is the most intriguing form of self-defense, aiming to protect oneself rather than being a tool to boast. Dimas added that the familial bond within the silat community is strong, and through silat, he has learned valuable organizational skills.

The two champions emphasized that pencak silat is highly beneficial in everyday life. From a fitness perspective, it strengthens the body, improves breathing, and teaches self-defense. It can even help others in dangerous situations, such as theft or other criminal acts.

At the end of the interview, Zakky and Dimas shared tips for maintaining consistency in exercise: develop a habit of moving your body for at least 30 minutes a day to stay healthy. “Don’t use studying as an excuse not to exercise. Do your best to stay consistent because a healthy body leads to a healthy mind,” Dimas concluded.

(FDI Journalist Team: Adzka Ma’ziya)