The DKI Jakarta contingent currently tops the standings at the 19th National Student Sports Week (POMNas) in Central Java. Yet, behind the glitter of medals and the cheers of victory lies a quieter force that cannot be seen but deeply felt — the strength of mental resilience. That presence comes in the form of Aryati, a 61-year-old former lecturer at the Faculty of Sports Science, Jakarta State University, now entrusted as a Sport Mental Coach within the Sustainable Sports Achievement Development (POPB) program. To many young athletes, she is not only a trainer but also a mother figure who fuels their confidence before stepping onto the field.
The presence of Aryati is a reminder that victories are not shaped by physical preparation alone, but also by the unseen armor of mental stability. She is the steadying voice before competitions and the calm reassurance in their aftermath. With her gentle words and sharp gaze, she commands both respect and trust, offering athletes a sense of belonging and belief. Her role underscores that the foundation of sports achievement lies not only in physical prowess but also in the durability of the mind.
Aryati views her mission as extending beyond the chase for medals. She insists that true success is defined by how athletes sustain performance and preserve mental well-being both inside and outside the arena. Her mental training programs, conducted before the start of POMNas XIX, allowed her team to assess psychological conditions, mapping out strengths and vulnerabilities. These evaluations do not merely yield scores, but serve as guides for how athletes prepare, recover, and grow stronger. For her, mental coaching is a process, not magic, requiring persistence and integration with physical and technical preparation.
She also innovates through Mental Science Technology, blending traditional methods with digital tools such as tele-therapy platforms to diagnose, monitor, and guide athletes’ mental health. This hybrid approach ensures accessibility and engagement, helping young competitors better understand and care for their mental state. Crucially, Jakarta remains the only regional contingent at POMNas XIX to formally include a Sport Mental Coach, a distinction Aryati credits to the support of the provincial government. Her involvement highlights not only a pioneering spirit but also a recognition that in modern sports, victory is not merely a matter of strength and speed, but of balance, resilience, and the unshakable will to succeed.
Alexander Jason – Redaksi
