From Bangka to Karimun, Polman Negeri Babel Students Win Third Place in the 2025 Navy Criterium Cup
With a proud smile, Nova Amanda lifted the 3rd place trophy of the Roadbike Women Open Navy Criterium Cup 2025 in Karimun, successfully competing with national and international athletes.
An unyielding spirit led Nova Amanda, a Diploma IV Electronic Engineering student at Polman Babel, to a proud achievement. She finished third in the women's open road bike category at the 2025 Navy Criterium Cup in Karimun on Sunday (August 31, 2025).
This success is the result of the fighting spirit of Polman Babel students, who excel not only academically but also in sports. The competition was attended by cyclists from various regions, including national athletes, making the competition quite intense.
When contacted on Tuesday (September 2, 2025), Nova explained how her interest in sports began. "I've always loved sports, especially cycling. But in Bangka, there are very few cycling events specifically for women. The last time I competed was at the 2023 Porprov, so I decided to try racing outside the island." "It just so happened there was an event in Karimun," he explained.
To face the competition, Nova prepared seriously. Regular training, maintaining a proper rest routine, and meeting protein needs were his main focuses. However, he admitted the biggest challenge wasn't just physical, but also mental.
"I was a bit nervous because it had been a long time since I'd competed, and now I'm meeting the other athletes," he said.
He also expressed his gratitude for the results. "Thank God, I was given the opportunity and was safe during the race. The most important people are definitely my family, as well as the support from my manager, Rita Pauws, my coach, and my colleagues at One Pedal Sungailiat," he added.
Nova explained that strategy is key in racing. He focuses on observing his opponents' movements to adjust his tempo. He believes this experience will be invaluable for future competitions. "My future goal is to hopefully achieve more than a third-place finish," he said.
Beyond the results, Nova also highlighted the unique experience of competing against cyclists from various regions. "Wow, it was quite exciting to race with cyclists from both within and outside the country. It was an incredible experience," he said.
Going forward, Nova hopes to continue honing his skills and gaining experience in various competitions. Hopefully, I can improve even further in the future," he concluded.
