Balikpapan - The spirit of perseverance once again shines through from the students of Institut Teknologi Kalimantan (ITK). This time, the proud achievement comes from Arya Satya Maharanu, a 2023 cohort student who won second place Place at the East Kalimantan Governor’s Karate Championship 2025.

This prestigious tournament, organized by the Governor of East Kalimantan in collaboration with Forki Kaltim, was held from September 5–7, 2025, in Samarinda. The event brought together the best karate athletes from across the province representing universities, clubs, and district teams from all over East Kalimantan.

The Journey to Victory 

Arya had been preparing since August 2025, undergoing intensive and disciplined training. “I trained every day to strengthen my basic techniques, stamina, and match strategies,” he shared. Beyond physical preparation, Arya also focused on building mental resilience and self-confidence to face opponents many of whom were senior and highly experienced athletes

The championship became an emotional experience for Arya. In the final round, he faced one of his own seniors, a person who had once guided him in the world of karate. “This tournament was very memorable for me because I made it to the final and faced my senior, who used to teach me how to compete, and now became my opponent,” Arya said with respect. It was a powerful moment that symbolized both growth and sportsmanship  a student surpassing his mentor while honoring the values of respect and humility.

 Support and Hopes

Through this achievement, Arya hopes to inspire more ITK students to step forward and represent their university  not only in academics but also in non-academic fields. “I hope my fellow ITK students won’t hesitate to join competitions. Winning or losing isn’t the main goal it’s the process and experience that help us grow,” he added. Arya’s success is a testament to ITK’s commitment to nurturing students who are not only intelligent and skilled, but also resilient, disciplined, and full of spirit embodying the values of excellence both on and off the mat.