Indonesia
Efa Reach Her Achievement in Wushu
Don’t mess up with Benedicta Rafaella Karolusia Prasetyo (Efa). Although she has a slim body but she is mastering in wushu (a Chinese martial art).
She’s been practicing since six years old, Efa now masters three main styles of taolu wushu (art of performance). Chang quan (bare hand), jian shu (short weapon like sword) and qiang shu (long weapon like spear). To Superkids Indonesia who met her exclusively at her parents’ home in Surabaya, the second of three revealed told us how wushu brought positive things for her.
Hi… Efa!!!. Why wushu?
Hi…, Actually i didn’t choose it, Dad did. He said because i am a girl, wushu would fit me. My older and younger sisters are take wushu too.
Never tried other martial art?
No. My Mom and dad are also mastering in martial art, they do the karate. Me and my sisters were directed to wushu because it seemed better and fit to us. They also said it’s because i had a talent since i’m young.
Talent? Does it mean you like to fight?
Hahaha…nooo. Dad said i’m flexible and have good reflex. With his experience in martial art, i trust he made the best choice for me.
Is it proven?
Well…yes. I signed up for wushu since first grade. without no presure by anyone, it’s more like trial session. If i like I can continue, If not, i can stop. And i continue to practice until today. The instructor said i’m a fast learner
Where do you go to practice?
at Yasanis. On that year, wushu in Surabaya is identical with Yasanis. It’s the biggest and oldest gym. It’s been over decades and many of the athletes have won to international level.
Do you practice every day?
Six days a week, at 17.00 to 19.00. Five days for art step practice, one day for physic (running, heavy lifting or so). The physical session is every Sunday morning and it doesn’t have to be in the gym.Sometimes we do it at the stadium. The practice and exercise will be more intens if the competition is coming. my wushu practice day off is only on Saturday.
Is wushu easy to learn?
Well, it depends. The hard part is the jumping around like an acrobat. The most difficult is qiang shu. Not only the weapon is long, there are many moves hold the spear/Toya with one hand. If not hold it tightly, it will fall and it’s too dengerous.
It happened?
Once during practice. It was a sword, not a spear. I lost it and hit the cheek.
Whose?
Lucky me, it hit my own cheek, not others, hehehe.
Oh, i thought the instructor’s cheeck.
Hahaha, please not! That’s scary.
Taolu wushu is for showing up moves, not knock off someone. Does it mean you are all about style but can’t really fight?
Wanna try? Hahaha.It’s true that taolu wushu is judged by the beauty of the moves. It’s not about trading some kicking and punching with opponents. But by mastering the moves automatically i can knock someone out.
It happened?
It did. At school, a friend pushed me so hard. I just fight her down reflectly. I didn’t mean it. I used the wushu step reflectly.
No intention of trying sanshou (fighting) wushu?
Hihihi.. To be honest, i am scared. Dad and mom won’t allow me too, while i know when they were still active in karate, they were in Kyokushinkai Karate Mental Development. It’s a full body contact karate. It allows hitting with legs and knees to the head, attack as hard as possible, inflicting injuries on opponents. I think mom and dad can’t take it if their daughters join fighting wushu.
Martial art never mean to fight after all, right?
Agreed.
Does wushu interfere with your school activities?
Not at all. It is so happen that any wushu championship is always held during school day off. So i never have to skip class even if it takes days out of town. But you know, there’s no school break picnic, instead exercise during the holiday, hehe.
Do you active at school too?
Yes, I’m! I join dance, vocal group and become the main player of kolintang team. It’s true that my academic is not very good.But at least it’s not below the standard too, hehe.
What are your activities other than wushu?
Piano. But the practice schedule is messed up because i put wushu first. I also like to draw, making anime and fashion designing.
What’s your target in wushu?
To represent Indonesia in the world championship. For that i must have at least two gold medals in official national championship (kejurnas).
You’ll get there.
Amien.
Are you proud of being a wushu athlete?
Yes. I’m. I’m glad to be a kid with achievements.
Cool.Thanks, Efa. Good luck at wushu!
Thank you, Superkids Indonesia.
BIOFACT
Name: Benedicta Rafaella Karolusia Prasetyo (Efa)
Birth: Surabaya, May 15 2003
School: 6 Grade SDK Santa Theresia II Surabaya
Parents: Eko Prasetijo – Etna Curiawika Nagatama
Siblings: Skolastika Gabriella Theresandia Prasetyo (Gaby) and Koleta Mikaella Sandrina Prasetyo (Eta)
Achievements:
- Won Chang Quan Female Junior C at Bali Wushu Open Championship 2014
- Second Place of Jian Shu Female Junior C at Bali Wushu Open Championship 2014
- Won Qiang Shu Female Junior C at Bali Wushu Open Championship 2014
- Second Place of Qian Shu Female Junior C at Senior National Wushu Championship and Junior 2014 in Medan
- Won Jian Shu Female Junior C on Provincial Wushu Championship Junior 2013 in Surabaya
HAFIDA INDRAWATI
PHOTO: HAFIDA INDRAWATI
