My mother is my biggest supporter. She was also a swimmer growing up.
Although she never pursued swimming as a career, she was a member of a swim club, and she even competed in several local competitions.
From that swim club, she met friends who would eventually become Indonesian national champions in the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s.
Some of them even won the Southeast Asian Games, also known as the SEA Games.
Fast forward to my third-grade year in elementary school, and my mom signed me up to join one of the swimming clubs that was founded by one of her friends, who was a swimming legend in Indonesia.
What started as a simple activity soon turned into a passion and a way of life for me.
As I got more serious about my training, I started competing in local competitions and even winning some of them.
One of my breakthrough moments came in my freshman year of college when I set a national age group record for the 18-year-olds in the 400m freestyle and nearly beat the national champion at the time.
That is when I knew I had what it took to compete.
I was hungry for more.
In 2022, I was invited to join the Indonesian national team.
We trained together and traveled to various international competitions in countries like Singapore and Malaysia.
My biggest moment came when I was selected to represent Indonesia at the Asian Games in September 2023.
It was by far the highest level of competition I had ever been a part of, and while I didn’t accomplish what I set out to achieve, it was an incredible experience.
Competing against some of the best swimmers in the world and witnessing their preparation and dedication up close was truly inspiring.
I also had the opportunity to compete in the World University Games, which featured swimmers from all over the world.
I was living my dream of competing on the international stage, and it was an honor to represent my country and make my mark on the swimming world.
As much as I enjoyed competing for the national team, I knew that I wanted to continue my education as well.
In Indonesia, we don’t have collegiate athletic programs, so you’re either just an athlete or a student.
I wanted to find a way to balance both, which is what led me to reach out to several American universities.
Oakland wasn’t immediately on the top of my list but after a call with Coach Mitch, I knew that Oakland was the university I wanted to attend.
That conversation led to me being recruited in September of last year and then, I arrived in Michigan in January.
The swimming team has been incredibly welcoming, and I feel right at home.
While I’m still adjusting to a new culture and way of life, my teammates and coaches have been a constant source of support.
They’ve made the transition to life in the United States much easier, and I’m grateful for their friendship and guidance.
In September 2024, I had the opportunity to represent my hometown, Jakarta, on the biggest stage for Indonesian sports – the National Sports Week.
This event is like the Olympics for Indonesians, and it was an absolute honor to be selected to compete.
The competition was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.
The environment was loud and electric, and the pressure to perform was immense.
But I was up for the challenge.
I competed in five events and I was standing there, my heart beating probably 200 beats per minute, just hoping to get one medal and I came away with two gold medals, two silver medals, and a bronze medal.
It’s something I feel really proud of but my accomplishments at National Sports Week were not just for me – they were for my family, my coaches, my teammates, and everyone who has supported me along the way.
As a young swimmer, I never could have imagined that I would have the opportunity to compete in prestigious athletic events and attend college in the United States.
I’m grateful for the support of my family, coaches, and teammates who have helped me reach this level, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
No matter where my swimming career takes me, I’ll always carry the pride of being an Indonesian athlete and the lessons I’ve learned from my time competing.
As I continue my swimming career at Oakland University, I hope to inspire others to chase their dreams and never give up.
