How a cramped Jakarta alley produced some of Indonesia’s top gymnasts
How a cramped Jakarta alley produced some of Indonesia’s top gymnasts
In a rat-infested alley barely 2m wide, children aged six to 14 practise backflips and cartwheels on worn foam mats laid over concrete.
Training regularly comes to a halt as the children move their mats aside for motorcyclists, pedestrians and food vendors. Seconds later, their makeshift gym is back in action.
Yoga Ardian started Indosalto Gymnastics Club during the COVID-19 pandemic, teaching neighbourhood children after they gathered to watch him practise gymnastics and capoeira outside his home.
14-year-old Karlina joined Yoga in 2022 and went from learning backbends in the alley to becoming a three-time national tricking champion. “Now I want to keep competing, keep improving and make coach proud.”
Indosalto’s young athletes are now competing with Indonesia’s best. In July, Karlina, nine-year-old Katrina and eight-year-old Adelia each won gold at the Indonesia Gymnastics Open.
The club once used pull-up bars wedged between buildings as “uneven bars”, with no springboard, balance beam or proper landing mats. Donations and support are now helping Indosalto upgrade its equipment.
