JAKARTA: In a working-class neighbourhood in North Jakarta, a group of children practise backflips and cartwheels, learning to stick their landings.If they take a tumble, there are no spring floors to cushion their fall, only two decrepit foam mats placed on unforgiving concrete.Their training ground is a rat-infested alley barely 2m wide, hemmed in by laundry racks and parked motorcycles."Hold on! Let her pass first!" their instructor Yoga Ardian calls out during a training session on a typical afternoon.The children, aged six to 14, immediately pause their routine and lift the mats to make way for a motorcyclist. Seconds later, the makeshift gym is restored and the children line up once again to sprint, flip and tumble down the narrow passageway. They would pause at least a dozen times more to make way for pedestrians, food vendors with pushcarts and other motorcyclists."This is what it's like training in an alley," Yoga, the founder of Indosalto Gymnastics Club, told CNA on a recent Saturday. “We don't have the luxury of space, privacy or equipment.”
The narrow alleyway in Penjaringan, North Jakarta, from which gymnastic champions have emerged. (Photo: CNA/Wisnu Agung Prasetyo)
Despite these limitations, national champions have emerged from this alley in the Penjaringan neighbourhood.At the Indonesia Gymnastics Open tournament in mid-July, three of Indosalto’s students were gold medallists: 14-year-old Karlina, who goes by one name, nine-year-old Katrina Binafi and eight-year-old Adelia.Karlina is, in fact, a three-time national tricking champion who has also won medals in gymnastics and kickboxing competitions. Tricking is an acrobatic sport that combines elements of martial arts, gymnastics and breakdance.“What we lack in facilities, these students make up for with spirit. They are eager to learn, eager to try new things, eager to push themselves. That's what makes them special,” said Yoga, 35. Karlina said training with Yoga made her realise she had a talent for acrobatics and that it could open doors she never knew existed."Before this, I didn't really have a dream," said Karlina, who joined Indosalto from the very beginning in 2022. "When I started winning competitions, I realised maybe I really could become an athlete. Now I want to keep competing, keep improving and make Coach proud."
