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| "Fakhri Ziddan Akbar, an Information Technology Student, Wins Volleyball Medal Representing East Java (Photo: Special) |
The University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) students continue to bring home proud achievements. This time, first-year computer science student Fakhri Ziddan Akbar, along with his team, clinched a silver medal in Men's Beach Volleyball at the National Student Sports Week (POMNAS) XVII in South Kalimantan, Banjarmasin, last November.
Ziddan, as he is often called, represented East Java. He recounted that they were grouped with representatives from DKI Jakarta, North Sulawesi, and Banjarmasin during their team quarantine. They progressed from the group stage to the semifinals against South Sulawesi.
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"Alhamdulillah, we managed to defeat them. Unfortunately, in the end, we had to acknowledge the team's superiority from Central Java. Nevertheless, I am grateful, especially for myself, to bring home the silver medal," he said.
The victory wasn't achieved easily. Ziddan mentioned that they trained rigorously, motivated to prove that their team could surpass stronger opponents. "Running more than four kilometres every day and then playing volleyball on the beach became our daily routine. Additionally, physically draining exercises were part of our routine," Ziddan stated.
In truth, his training routine wasn't much different from what other athletes at UMM also practiced. Furthermore, the White Campus consistently provides various supports for developing its students' potential and interests. Moreover, the diet during their preparation had to be carefully managed. Hence, they were prohibited from consuming high-oil and high-sugar foods during quarantine, as they could affect an athlete's performance.
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Volleyball isn't a new world for Ziddan, especially considering his father is a veteran volleyball athlete in East Java. His father is his biggest supporter and inspiration. "My father provides tremendous support for me and has brought me to this point. I aim to follow in his footsteps, a determination I've held since middle school. Hopefully, I'll achieve more victories in various competitions, regional, national, and even international," he concluded. (ri/wil/fajr)
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