One of the biggest competitions in Southeast Asia, the 2022 ASEAN Para Games has officially been held starting on July 30, 2022. These athletes with disabilities from all ASEAN countries will meet and compete with each other until August 6, 2022 in Solo, Central Java. The purpose of holding the ASEAN Para Games is to provide a forum for athletes with disabilities to develop their potential.
Diponegoro University student has achieved silver and gold medals in the Para Swimming sport at the 2022 ASEAN Para Games on Thursday (04/07) and Friday (05/07). Tara Athaya Yasykur, or who is often called Tara, is an Undip student of the Communication Science Undergraduate Study Program Class of 2021 who won a silver medal in the 100-meters SB12 Women’s Breaststroke and a gold medal in the 50-meters S12 Freestyle in the Para Swimming sport in 2022 ASEAN Para Games.
This extraordinary achievement of the Undip student has an interesting story. Previously, Tara had never had any intention of using swimming as a means of achievement, but when she won the provincial championship in junior high school, she thought about pursuing her hobby until now. Tara said that this was the first time she participated in the ASEAN Para Games event, precisely in the Para Swimming sport. Actually breaststroke is not her main swimming style but, considering the limited number of participants, she was forced to take the number and managed to win a silver medal.
Being one of the participants participating in the 2022 ASEAN Para Games competition and winning silver and gold medals is not easy, Tara revealed that she received a lot of positive support from the people around her.
“I always remember my initial goal of participating in this competition. The preparation, all the training and so on are what makes me excited to keep trying, as well as prayers and support from the closest people who are very influential in a series of my successful achievements,” she said.
To balance between hobbies and studies, good time management is the solution. On the sidelines of her busy life as an Undip Communication Science student, she still manages to find time to pursue her hobby, which is swimming.
“Because the lectures were still conducted online yesterday, it made it easier for me to manage lectures and practice times. Like when the exercise is done in the morning, I can still attend lectures and do my homework after the training is over, and vice versa when the exercise is done in the afternoon, I take classes or lectures before I start training,” explained Tara.
“If we have ideals or desires, don’t be pessimistic, we have to try and fight for them. If we don’t try, how will we know, even if we fail, please stay optimistic. Failure is a natural process in life, the important thing is to never stop trying and trying. We must believe that the effort will never betray the results. What we strive for will be paid off at the right time, always pray, cheer up everyone!!” she said. (Afifah – PR)
