Behind Sutji’s success at PON Papua 2021 are her family and her gymnastics coaches in Lampung. Her grandmother, Laila Al-Khusna, 63, helped prepare the citizenship documents Sutji needed to return to Indonesia.
By
Vina Oktavia
·6 minutes read
KOMPAS/VINA OKTAVIA
Sutjiati Kelanaritma Narendra (17)
Sutjiati “Sutji” Kelanaritma Narendra, 17, beamed as she received bouquets and congratulations from guests at her home in Beringin Raya subdistrict, Kemiling district, Bandar Lampung, Tuesday (12/10/2021). The rhythmic gymnast had just returned from competing at the National Games (PON) Papua 2021.
A number of guests who attended her victory celebration persisted in asking Sutjiati to take photographs with them. The guests also praised the achievements of the firstborn child of the Indonesian-American couple, Andy Narendra and Christina.
Sutjiati has been in the public spotlight since she grabbed two gold medals and one silver medal in the rhythmic gymnastics event, representing Lampung. She won the gold medals in the ball and ribbon events, while she won silver in the all-around event.
Apart from her achievements, Sutjiati has become the talk of the town because of her decision. Previously, she was a talented gymnast in the United States, where she had passed the selection process to join USA Gymnastics, the national governing body for the sport. Representing the US, Sutjiati took part in a variety of international gymnastics tournaments.
However, Sutji decided to leave the US at the end of 2018 for Lampung, her father’s hometown. Since then, she has aimed to bring fame to Lampung and Indonesia at various world gymnastics competitions.
Born on 13 Feb. 2004 in in New York, Sutji was raised in the US where she started learning rhythmic gymnastics from the age of 8. Sutjiati became interested in this discipline of gymnastics after she watched the London 2012 Olympics.
To support her eldest child’s interest, Christina enrolled Sutjiati at a gymnastics club in the US. Every day, Christina accompanied her child to training until she became a gymnast.
KOMPAS/VINA OKTAVIA
Sutjiati with her parents at her house in Bandar Lampung, Tuesday (12/10/2021).
Sutji won her first medal at the USA Gymnastics Regional Championships in 2015, winning a silver medal in the all-around event. She won her first gold medal at the USA Gymnastics National Championships in 2017.
So far, she has taken part in nine international gymnastics competitions in several countries around the world, including the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Bulgaria and Russia. At last count, she had won 12 gold medals and seven silver medals from the competitions.
Even with her international experience, Sutji said that her first time participating at PON, hosted by Papua this year, was very impressive. She enjoyed unexpected and overwhelming support from the Indonesian public.
“The mass public prayers and support moved me deeply,” said a tearful Sutji.
This is also why Sutjiati does not regret relocating to Indonesia. The sense of togetherness she feels with her family and Indonesian society in general has made her enjoy life more.
She is delighted at the appreciation she has received for winning gold and silver for Lampung, and that she was able to make many people happy. It gives Sutji great pride that she was able to bring fame to Lampung at PON. Following her performance at PON, Sutjiati is determined to represent Indonesia at the South East Asian (SEA) Games.
Her love for Indonesia has also prompted Sutji to communicate more frequently in the Indonesian language, including daily conversations with her family. Although she has only taken an Indonesian language course while she was in Bandar Lampung, Sutji is already fluent in Indonesian.
KOMPAS/VINA OKTAVIA
Sutjiati (left) with her mother in Bandar Lampung, Tuesday (12/10/2021).
Family support
Behind Sutji’s success at PON Papua 2021 are her family and her gymnastics coaches in Lampung. Her grandmother, Laila Al-Khusna, 63, helped prepare the citizenship documents Sutji needed to return to Indonesia.
Laila went to the Law and Human Rights Ministry in Jakarta to arrange her granddaughter’s citizenship papers, and was instrumental in persuading the immigration officials that Sutjiati deserved Indonesian citizenship.
I also showed photos and videos of my granddaughter participating in and winning at gymnastics championships.
Besides having a father of Indonesian descent, Sutji wanted to live in Indonesia. Moreover, Sutji was a gifted athlete who had participated in a variety of world gymnastics competitions. With her Indonesian citizenship status, she could certainly help build a good image for the country.
“I also showed photos and videos of my granddaughter participating in and winning at gymnastics championships,” said Laila.
After traveling back and forth between Lampung and Jakarta, Laila was finally assured that her granddaughter would be granted Indonesian citizenship. Once they had been issued, Laila promptly flew to the US to help arrange the trip home for Sutji, her two younger siblings and Sutji’s parents.
Laila also helped find a gymnastics club in Lampung so Sutji could continue her training. She did not want to see her granddaughter’s performance decline once she had repatriated.
In Bandar Lampung, Sutji joined the Idola gymnastics club and trained under Yulianti, a noted Indonesian gymnast in 1991-2004.
Sutjiati’s gymnastics skills had been honed in the US, but she had to continue training hard to maintain them. She usually trains for eight hours every day.
While developing her techniques in gymnastics, Sutji also underwent physical and mental training in Lampung. The Lampung provincial administration facilitated Sutji’s participation in various international events to strengthen her mind for competition.
Sutjiati’s success at PON Papua 2021 was the result of her hard work and discipline during training. In addition, she also maintained a strict diet to stay fit and healthy.
Sutjiati currently has dual citizenship for Indonesia and the US. This is because Sutjiati was born in the US, which follows the principle of ius soli (place of birth) in granting citizenship.
When asked about her choice of citizenship, Sutjiati smiled and replied plainly, “Of course, Indonesian.”
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