KONI Reviews Diving Events at the 2026 Central Java Provincial Games

Semarang (ANTARA) – KONI Central Java is reviewing the staging of diving events at the 2026 Provincial Games (Porprov) after an athlete died during competition.

“An evaluation is certainly being carried out, and several measures have been added to the competition procedures,” KONI Central Java chairman Sudjarwanto said in Semarang on Monday.

The additions include having medical personnel at the competition venue, he said.

The number of rescue boats for the open-water diving event in the waters off northern Semarang has also been increased, with support from the Central Java Police’s Water and Air Police Unit (Polairud), he added.

“We have also asked for stricter health checks for athletes before they compete,” he said.

Syabilla Rizkia Putri Raharja, a diver from Jepara regency, died while competing in the 2026 Central Java Provincial Games on Sunday (25 October) off the Awann Costa coast in West Semarang, Semarang city.

She was suspected of having become exhausted during the three-kilometre open-water diving event.

The day before, Syabilla had also competed in pool diving events at Jatidiri swimming pool in Semarang, winning two gold medals in two different disciplines.

Sudjarwanto added that the open-water diving event at this year’s Provincial Games was considered particularly challenging.

Two other athletes competing in the same race as Syabilla also reported feeling exhausted, he said. They were from Cilacap and Magelang regencies.

“One of them said they had been stung by a jellyfish, which also affected their condition during the race,” he said.