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‘Slepetan’ enthusiasts embrace camaraderie, dream big at traditional slingshot tournament
Given how slepetan enthusiasts had embraced the competition, Supriadi, the head of the organizing committee, expressed hope the event could become a platform to promote the game to more people.
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A competitor aims at a target during a 'slepetan' (traditional slingshot) competition in Ciledug, Tangerang, Banten, on Feb. 23. (Jakarta Post/Galih Gumelar)
S
ofyan, a 46-year-old resident of Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, felt nervous as he walked into a vacant lot in Paninggilan subdistrict in Tangerang, Banten, to participate in a slepetan (traditional slingshot) competition on Sunday.
His hands were shaky and sweat dripped from his face as he prepared to face off against two other competitors.
He needed to knock down 10 cans in front of him consecutively by slinging amo (iron pellets used as projectiles). However, his nerves got the better of him and he was only able to hit five targets.
“Well, I have competed at several small-scale slepetan competitions before. I have practiced a lot at home, but for some reason the practice didn’t help, as I felt the pressure of being watched by so many people here [at the competition],” Sofyan told The Jakarta Post after his turn.
Sofyan was one of 93 competitors to sign up to compete at the second Jabodetabek (Greater Jakarta) slepetan competition organized by the Jabodetabek Traditional Slingshot Forum. Hailed as the biggest annual slepetan tournament in Greater Jakarta, this year’s event was not only contested by participants from the area but also from Bandung, Banjar and Sukabumi in West Java.
Slepetan competitions have different requirements than regular slingshot competitions. Participants must knock over 10 cans from a distance of 10 meters to win the tournament. If more than one competitor knocks down all the cans, they must go through another round to determine the winner.
Slepetan tournaments require players to sling projectiles using only caglak (wooden slingshots). In regular slingshot tournaments, competitions aim at round iron targets, commonly called spinners, and players are allowed to use slingshots made of various kinds of materials.
