UNAIR NEWS – Santoso, a student in Jujitsu Universitas Airlangga has succeeded in winning Class 52kg of One Pride Indonesian Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).
There were 40 participants from Indonesian regions in the event held in Jakarta, March 18. Most of them were from non-university academies. The competition was divided into some categories or classes, such as 52 kg, 60 kg, and 77 kg.
The D-3 Library student admitted that to join the competition he had to go through a selection. There were at least three phases of selection Santoso went through. First, the selection was in Surabaya, second in Solo and the last in Jakarta.
“I got grade C in Surabaya and in Solo. But I didn’t give up to make my dream comes true. Before the audition in Jakarta I trained even harder and improved my punches, kicks, grappling and joint-locks. Alhamdulillah I got B,” said Santoso to UNAIR NEWS, Tuesday, March 21.
The preparation training was tough. Every day he trained his fist technique and jogged and skipped.
“I trained at five in the morning before college, I ran about 5 km. In the afternoon I skipped 25 minutes, trained my fist, shadow and boxing,” said Santoso.
One Pride Indonesia MMA is an event of free fighting in Indonesia. It is held annually and attracted a lot of fighters to participate.
“I’m happy and proud. May it make my parents and UKM Universitas Airlangga proud as well,” he said. (*)
Author : Akhmad Janni
Editor : Binti Q. Masruroh