Born in Karawang, West Java, on July 21, 2000, Melani is a familiar name in rowing. She competed in the lightweight double sculls with Mutiara Rahma Putri at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Now, at the 2024 Aceh-North Sumatra PON, she has made a notable achievement by winning three gold medals in three different rowing matches.
But her success has come in the midst of grief: on September 4, that is, before the sports week officially began, she received news from her hometown of her beloved mother's passing due to illness.
As soon as she heard the news, Melani, who is the youngest of 10 siblings, left for Karawang to see her mother for the last time.
Despite the deep sorrow, she strived to stay strong. She also got support from her family members, close ones, athlete friends, and her coach.
"I still remember that before competing in PON, my mother always said to me to be always enthusiastic," she recalled.
For her, her mother has been the most important figure in her career as an athlete. Her continuous prayers and support have been a source of strength when performing at rowing competitions.
Rising above grief
Melani, who has just completed her studies at Singaperbangsa University of Karawang, said that she was shaken after learning that her mother had passed away.
However, she tried to rise above her grief. After visiting home, she returned to Aceh to compete with her peers.
Upon her arrival in Aceh, the athlete, who has so far appeared in three editions of the PON, namely PON West Java, PON Papua, and PON Aceh-North Sumatra, was determined to do her best to make her hometown proud.
The two-time silver medalist at the 2021 Hanoi SEA Games said that she did not want to waste the prayers and support of her parents.
"I have to give my best to make my parents proud," she said.
In addition to leaning on her family and peers, she also visited psychologists so she could heal mentally and rebuild her confidence after the tragic event.
PON success
Melani is considered one of the most successful athletes in PON's editions. At the 2016 PON in West Java, she took home one gold and one bronze medal.
Then, in the 20th Papua PON in 2021, Melani won three golds in three different matches. This year, at the Aceh-North Sumatra PON, she again snatched up three gold medals.
She won her first gold in the quadruple sculls match on Thursday (September 12, 2024) against Anggi Widiarti, Febriyanti Cahyaningtias, and Dewi Purwanti.
She took the second gold in the lightweight double sculls (LW2X) for which she paired up with Febriyanti.
The pair finished with a record of 7 minutes 38.399 seconds. Starting from the third lane, Melani and Febriyanti defeated Jakarta's Lola Hanarina Blegur and Ailsha Nazwa Fadillah in the competition.
Melani won her third gold in the double sculls, again with Febriyanti, with a time of 7 minutes 32.40 seconds.
After finishing her matches, Melani said that she will now go cheer her peers who are still competing.
She added that though she has not thought about her long-term plan yet, she is keen to compete in the next edition of PON.
Meanwhile, deputy secretary of the Indonesia Rowing Sports Association (PODSI) executive board, Brata Tryana Hardjosubroto, praised Melani's mental outlook and achievements.
According to him, she has proved herself as a professional athlete. It is not easy for an athlete to receive sad news days before competing, he observed.
"This shows her mature mentality, a strong psychological condition," he added.
Her three golds are the fruit of her hard work at the nationalized training center, he added.
Furthermore, though Melani has competed at international events, she showed that she has not forgotten her home by participating in the PON.
"After all, they (the athletes) come from a province. Where they were born and first learned how to row, it must be remembered," he remarked.
The 2024 PON, which is taking place from September 8–20, marks the first time the competition is being held in two provinces — Aceh and North Sumatra. At least 13 thousand athletes from across Indonesia are competing in 65 sports and 1,042 matches in the Sports Week.
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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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