Merauke, Jubi – Young swimmer Nathania Zefanya Wohel from Merauke, South Papua province, won 15 gold and three silver medals at two aquatic sports championship held over nine days.
The 12-year-old athlete won 11 gold and three silver medals at the Panglima TNI cu, the 81st TNI Anniversary swimming championship 2026, held at the Yonif 751/VJS Swimming Pool in Jayapura from September 25 to 27, 2026.
Nathania Zefanya Wohel, known as Nia, was born in Agats on February 8, 2014. She is a seventh-grade student at YPPK Yoanes XXIII Junior High School in Merauke and represents Kali Maro Swimming Club Merauke.
At the swimming championship in Jayapura, Nathania competed in 14 events. Although she was in Age Group III, most the events she entered were in Age Group II, meaning she had to compete against older athletes.
Nia’s performance helped Kali Maro Swimming Club Merauke finish as overall championship in the competition.
Her success continued at the 2026 at the South Papua Provincial Pool Diving Championship. The competition did not impose age restrictions, and Nathania competed in four women’s bifins events: the 50, 100, 200 and 400 metres.
Nia won gold in all four events and was also named the best female swimmer.
Despite her achievements, she said they were not a reason to become complacement. She said she still had much to learn and areas she needed to improve.
“Praise God, I am grateful that I was able to complete all the events and achieve these results. I don’t want to become complacent. I still have a lot to learn and improve,” Nia told Jubi in Merauke on Monday (October 5, 2026).
She said competing was also an important part of her development as an athlete.
“For me, competing is not only about winning medals, but also about gaining experience, leaning from every competition and continuing to develop into a better athlete,” she said.
Nathania still has a long journey ahead of her as an athlete. She is targeting improvements in her race times, techniques, physical fitness and training consistency as she prepares to compete at higher levels.
Nathania’s father, Maxs David Wohel, said he was proud of his daughter achievements. He thanked her coaches and the school where Nathania is studying.
Maxs said Nia was a diligent child who was dedicated to both her studies and activities outside school, including swimming.
“As parents, we fully support and encourage Nia to continue to excel,” Maxs said. (*)
