UNAIR NEWS – Dhea Maulina Riyadi, a 2024 Accounting student at the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga, recently earned first place at the 2025 International Karate Open Championship “Sebelas Maret Open.” Riyadi, who has practiced karate since junior high school, reached this notable achievement through steady discipline, consistent training, and an unwavering determination to succeed. Despite a career filled with obstacles, she has demonstrated that perseverance and dedication can lead to outstanding results.
Riyadi’s karate journey and foundations of victory
Riyadi began training in karate in junior high school, even though her interest in the sport had already taken root in elementary school. “My school partnered with a karate club I had always wanted to join. That’s where I started training seriously, I never skipped practice, and eventually my coach began selecting me for competitions,” she recalled. Although she experienced early setbacks, including back-to-back losses at Porkab and O2SN, she bounced back with encouragement from her parents and returned to winning form. Her success at the Sebelas Maret Open and other international tournaments is built on consistent practice, strong discipline, and strong mental preparation.
During her training sessions, Riyadi prioritizes not only physical strength but also technical precision and the aesthetics of her movements. “I constantly refine my kata techniques: posture, power, timing, kime, and overall form,” she said. She added that past failures strengthened her mental resilience and prepared her for tougher challenges ahead. These efforts culminated in her first-place finish at the international championship.
Managing competition pressure and support behind her win
Navigating competitive pressure has been one of Riyadi’s biggest challenges. She manages stress by maintaining focus on her own performance rather than on her opponents. “I always concentrate on myself because the judges evaluate the quality of my performance. Before competing, I practice deep breathing and visualization,” she explained. Protecting her focus during matches allows her to perform optimally, even amid distractions. With solid mental readiness, she enters competitions with a sense of calm and confidence.
Riyadi also credits her success to the strong support she receives from her coach, dojo peers, and her university. “My coach provides technical adjustments and match strategies, and my dojo friends always cheer me on,” she noted. This collective support boosts her confidence and preparedness for every match. Together, these factors played a major role in her victory at the Sebelas Maret Open.
Author: Dara Devinta Faradhilla
Editor: Ragil Kukuh Imanto
