Deli Serdang – Taekwondo athlete Arya Danu Susilo fulfilled Banten’s 20-year wait for a gold medal at the National Sports Week (PON) by winning the gold medal at the PON Aceh-North Sumatra 2024. Born in Jakarta on 29 February 2004, Arya achieved Banten’s dream of winning a PON gold medal after defeating Panduaji Alzayed from DKI Jakarta in the men’s -74 kg taekwondo final at the Martial Arts Arena, Sumut Sport Center Complex, Deli Serdang.
“Alhamdulillah, I’m so happy to win the PON gold for Banten after 20 years of waiting,” Arya said to reporters after receiving his gold medal in Deli Serdang on Friday. “I’m really happy to win the PON gold for Banten, especially since no one had won gold before. The best they had was silver,” Arya added.
Before competing in the 2024 PON, Arya underwent intensive training for three months, and his hard work paid off with the gold medal after four editions of PON. Arya revealed that the support from his parents and coach played a vital role in his success.
A third-semester law student at Universitas Terbuka Jakarta, Arya shared that his key to success lies in hard work, discipline, and high motivation.
Arya has ambitious goals of joining the national team, undergoing national training, competing in the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, and participating in the 2028 Olympics.
