Indonesia
World Memorizing Record Holder from Indonesia
Muhammad Dzakiendra Ammarjundi has just turned 12 years old, yet he already accomplished so much. In this 2014 alone, he snatched two first place thropies in two memorizing competitions, competed with dozens of people from many countries.
Ammar, congrats and succes of becoming number one at 2014 Philippine Memory Championship
Thank you, but that’s an old story…
Oh, is there a more recent one?
Yes. I won the 2014 Hong Kong Memory Championships in Hong Kong, September 13-14, 2014.
Wow. How many medals did you sweep?
I got nine out of nine from 10 branches of competition. Four gold medals, four silver and one bronze.
Awesome…
Hehe, praise the Lord. I also broke the Junior World Record for 30 Minutes Card. Have you heard of it? It’s a competition of memorizing as many as possible deck of card in 30 minutes. I made five.
Cool. Any other Indonesian contestant?
Among them was my little brother Muhammad Hanifasyam Afifendra or Hanif. He was the third in Kids Category with four medals; two silvers and two bronzes. He likes quick branches, like Speed Card. It’s memorizing a deck of card. He can do that in under two minutes.
Since when did u practice memorizing?
November 2013. At first because my mom often watch GMM Yudi Lesmana on TV. He joined “The Next Mentalist” program, hosted by Deddy Cordbuzier. He also writes book “Memorizing Like an Elephant”.
And u went to Jakarta to find him?
Oh, no. It was so happened Kak Yudi worked in the same company with my dad in Sangatta. Eventually mom went to look for info about Memory Sport course (www.imsa.or.id) Kak Yudi was about to develop back then. So i went there, joined them, learned, competed and won.
How’s memorizing sport affecting ur life? Do u automatically find it easy to remember the lesson at school?
Hehehe. I always rank number one at class.
No wonder. Is excel in memorizing making you always remember the name of people you met?
Not necessary. In Sangatta, chance to interact with many people is limited. It’s a small mining town, so meeting someone new is not that often. Hahaha.
What’s your tips of easy memorizing?
I was taught this way. Whenever i meet someone new, picture that person and the name. Then assosiate it with funny imaginary things. Guaranteed it will help to remember the person.
Do u remember the name of all ur friends? Phone number?
I only memorize old friends. I remember names only during practice. I don’t remember everyone’s phone number too. Actually i only remember what i want to remember.
So, what is the most difficult to remember?
Spoken Number, pronouncing English numeral with one second interval.
Any intention of memorizing Al Quran?
Oh, sure is.
‪What about Muri (Indonesian World Records Museum)?
Not Muri. I don’t.
‪Aren’t you get tired of memorizing practice every day, Ammar?
It’s not really every day. We only have intensive practice prior to competition under Kak Ira, Kak Yudi’s wife guidance. But i’m no longer learn under Kak Yudi. He is taking S2 in University of Indonesia, Jakarta.
So?
Well, i just carry on the technique Kak Yudi taught me. But my mom inspect the result.
Is your dream related to the memory?
I want to be an architect. If i can get a scholarship, i want to study abroad.
What’s your next target, Ammar?
I want to reach Grand Memory Master. Wish me luck!
BIO FACT
Name: Muhammad Dzakiendra Ammarjundi
Birth : Madiun, November 12th 2002
School: Grade 4 YPPSB 3 Elementary School, Sangatta, East Kalimantan
Parents: Ardi Andra Margusano and Sari Dewi Rahmawati
Siblings: Muhammad Hanifasyam Afifendra and Muhammad Tsaqifendra Abdurrahman
Hobby: Reading and drawing
Achievement:
- Kids World Record Scorer of 30 Minutes Cards
- First place of Kids Category in 2014 Hong Kong Memory Championships with 9 medals (4 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze), September 2014
- First place for Kids Category in 2014 Philippine Memory Championship with 9 medals (5 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronzes), June 2014.
- Third place for Kids Category in 2014 Japan Memory Championship, May 2014
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTOS: MUH DZAKIENDRA AMMARJUNDI
