MAGETAN, JATIMNESIA.COM — The journey to becoming a champion is not always smooth sailing.
This insight was shared by Mario Suryo Aji—a seventh-semester Sports Management student at the Faculty of Sports and Health Sciences (FIKK), State University of Surabaya (UNESA)—during a session titled Home of Champions: Building a Culture of Achievement and Non-Academic Student Development at UNESA, held as part of the UNESA Campus 5 orientation program (PKKMB) on Wednesday (August 19, 2026).
The racer, who began his career at the age of ten, encouraged new students to cultivate consistency and the resilience to bounce back from various challenging situations.
Mario began his racing journey in motocross before transitioning to road racing. His time on the track was fraught with challenges, including various injuries. He notably secured the National Motocross Championship title in the 50cc class for three consecutive years: 2012, 2013, and 2014. In 2018, Mario participated in the Asia Talent Cup selection process before launching his career in Europe in 2022.
This motivational session aligns directly with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by prioritizing mental resilience, SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting holistic character development, and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by preparing competitive, driven individuals for future professional success.
Learning from Injuries and Hardships.
These experiences shaped how Mario handles adversity. He revealed that injuries were a recurring challenge throughout his career. However, he did not always view these setbacks as entirely negative.
“There were injuries every year; it was certainly tough. When facing difficult moments, I always remind myself of the reason why I am here,” Mario said.
He recounted how, since the age of 14, he had sacrificed a great deal of time to develop his career and had to live away from his family. These sacrifices serve as a reminder when he faces hard times. In his view, difficult experiences can be part of the learning process, provided one remains able to draw lessons from every situation encountered.
Consistency and Role Models.
On his journey to achieving success, Mario also looks up to certain role models. He cites his father as his first role model, while in the racing world, he looks to Marc Márquez as a source of inspiration. According to Mario, having role models helps a person maintain motivation while striving to achieve their goals.
He also emphasizes the importance of consistency in building a successful track record. “We must get used to facing setbacks so that we can be shaped into who we are meant to be. To become a champion, consistency is key,” he said.
When asked how he bounces back from setbacks, Mario says he reflects on the struggles he has already overcome. He also chooses to share his experiences with friends and family when facing difficult times. To him, sadness and disappointment are natural parts of life’s journey.
“It is okay to feel sad or disappointed; that is simply human nature. Keep your spirits high. Welcome to UNESA—welcome to your new home,” Mario said in his message to the new students.
