On Tuesday, 9 September 2025, UNY held a commemoration of the 42nd Hari Olahraga Nasional (National Sports Day) on the rectorate grounds, with more than 1,500 participants including faculty, staff, students and local community members engaging in a mass exercise session.

The event was officially opened by the Rector, Prof. Sumaryanto, with the blowing of a whistle. In his remarks he emphasised UNY’s support for students to contribute in sports at international levels.

As part of the celebration, the “Outstanding Sports Person 2025” awards were given to 19 individuals. Recipients included: Vania Eka Putri – 1st place in Women’s Sprint R6 in White-water Rafting at the 2024 PON Aceh-Sumut; Awwabin Raihan Sofai – 1st place in Freestyle Hapkido PON Aceh-Sumut 2024; Lisnawanto Putra Aditya & Dhany Diva Pradana – 1st place Men’s Team Archery; Gigih Adhiyodha – 1st place Under-58 kg Taekwondo PON Aceh-Sumut 2024; and others including Diva Rizky Septian, Fuad Ali Kasyiful Wahhab, Al Baffa Jwala, Ahmad Arif Azumi, B. W. Haryo Priambodo, Vika Aulia Qoiru, Raninggita Rolendini, Arneta Salsabila, Yulia Rina Widiastuti, Nurmareta Purwaningtyas, Wiranti Enggartiyasta, Yudistira Bagus, Mifta Yuninda, and Aditya Agustina.

The ceremony also included more than 200 door prizes from sponsors; the top prize was a 50″ smart TV awarded to Nori Suryani from UNY’s Research and Community Service Directorate.