SLEMAN - Valeria Paulini, a UPN "Veteran" Yogyakarta (UPNVY) student, will compete for the gold medal from the swimming sport, in the XVI National Student Sports Week (Pomnas XVI) in Jakarta on 19-26 September 2019.

Valeria Paulini was the only UPNVY representative who passed to represent the Special Province of Yogyakarta to compete at POMNAS.

"The Indonesian Student Sports Management Agency of Yogyakarta Special Region (BAPOMI-DIY) selected around 20 students from UPNVY, but only one person passed and joined another athlete from the other province team", said Prijoto, swimming sports assistant and sports lecturer of UPNVY.

Prijoto explained that the athlete would follow the 50 meter women's freestyle, the women's 100 meter freestyle, and the women's 50 meter butterfly style.

Previously, Valeria Paulini had proven herself when competing at the DIY Regional Sports Week (PORDA) in 2018. She successfully wiped out the gold medal from nine numbers of the swimming races.

Currently, Prijoto said, the athletes are preparing themselves by having a hard training. They practice swimming every day and also have physical exercise.

"We hope that this rigorous training brings maximum and proud results for the provinces and universities," he said.

According to Prijoto, there are several opponents from several provinces to be reckoned in these swimming sports. It is because the athletes often compete in national competitions and often get medals.

"Even though there are many tough opponents, we are still optimistic about winning the medals."

There are 105 student athletes in POMNAS 2019 who have passed the selection to participate in 15 sports out of 19 sports competed in this event. The athletes from 14 universities in DIY will be accompanied by 19 trainers.

Various sports that will be participated by the DIY contingents include fencing, athletics, basketball, sand volleyball, badminton, chess, men's futsal, judo, karate, kempo, rock climbing, pencak silat, swimming, fighting, and tennis.

(wwj / PR)