Athlete Syabilla Rizkia Putri Raharja dies during Central Java sports event

Syabilla Rizkia Putri Raharja, a 22-year-old diver from Jepara, passed away during the Central Java Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) XVII 2026. The incident occurred on Sunday, October 25, during the 3,000-meter open water finswimming event in the Awann Costa waters of Semarang.

Before the accident, Syabilla had won two gold medals for Jepara in the 100-meter and 200-meter bifins categories. Following her death, Minister of Youth and Sports Erick Thohir emphasized that safety procedures must be the top priority in all competitions, stating, “There is no victory more valuable than the life of an athlete.”

An investigation team has been formed by the Indonesian Underwater Sports Association (PB POSSI) to evaluate safety protocols, medical readiness, and rescue response times. Local authorities and the Central Java provincial government are also conducting evaluations to prevent similar occurrences in future sporting events.