Unesa.ac.id., Surabaya-Name Farahdina Camelia, or familiarly called Ella, maybe not as popular as other national athletes. However, in the world of paragliding, especially in East Java, his work as a talented athlete continues to climb and boast. His journey was full of challenges, but her enthusiasm and belief in bringing Ella continued to advance to the championship podium.
The interest of the woman born in Jombang, January 3, 2003 in the world of paragliding is inseparable from both parents and uncle, who is also a paragliding athlete, became a strong foundation in her achievement.
Since childhood, Ella used to see her uncle flying and finally tried herself to fall in love with this sport. Slowly, achievements began to be achieved, from the provincial to national championships.
The latest, in December 2024, he successfully won 3rd place in the women's U-23 regional champion, 3rd winner of the 4th U-23 Jatim League, and the first winner of the women's East Java U-23 League. However, for Ella, the most memorable victory was when he won 1st place at the Indonesian Paragliding Festival Troi in Alor, NTT.
Had injuries and trauma
The firstborn of five siblings tells the trip and likes to tear the achievements in the field. While competing in Porprov East Java 2023, he almost gave up due to pain in the middle of the race. However, after getting medical treatment and resting, he returned to compete in the team category and succeeded in bringing home a gold medal in the Cross Alam (XC) category.
Other trials came when he joined the championship in Lombok, NTB, October 2024. The bus carrying athletes had an accident, causing some participants to be rushed to the hospital.
Despite survivors with only minor injuries, the experience left a deep trauma. However, Ella chose to keep competing until the championship is complete.
"Mental control is the most difficult. Sometimes when I practice my grades are good, but in the championship can drop dramatically. So I learned not to open grades until the race is complete, so that it remains focused," he said.
Determination and Struggle
As students, Ella is required to be smart in dividing time between training, lectures, and caring for her younger siblings at home. He is less active in the organization, because he has to be with his younger siblings.
Exercise can only be done every weekend, while if there is a championship, he must arrange his own college permit. Ella received support from her lecturers and friends.
By participating in the championship, he felt many benefits from participating in the championship, such as getting acquainted with athletes from various regions and gaining the experience of flying in new locations with different conditions.
Ella's motivation to continue to excel from curiosity. Seeing senior athletes struggling and winning medals triggered him to keep trying and developing. In the future, he aspires to enter the East Java Puslatda, follow PON, and compete in national and international championships.
"For now I want to focus on the category of accuracy first. Hopefully in the future it can develop further," he hoped. He hopes this sport can be better known and in demand by the younger generation.
Ella emphasizes, dare to try and want to develop is a principle held behind his achievements. "Intentions and mentality are the most important. Strengthen intentions, face the risks, and surrender the results to God," he concluded. []
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Reporter: Zakariya Putra Soekarno (Fisipol)
Editor: @zam*
Photo: Doc. Farahdina Camelia
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