Greysia paused for a moment to hold back tears, then masked her sadness with her trademark laugh. Apriyani supported her partner by stroking her back and whispering words of encouragement.
By
Agung Setyahadi From Tokyo, Japan
·3 minutes read
AFP/PEDRO PARDO
Indonesia\'s Apriyani Rahayu (R) hugs Indonesia\'s Greysia Polii after winning their women\'s doubles badminton group stage match against Japan\'s Sayaka Hirota and Japan\'s Yuki Fukushima during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza in Tokyo on July 27, 2021.
TOKYO, KOMPAS — Greysia Polii held back tears as she remember her brother who had died in December 2020. Her brother, who served as a father figure, became a source of inspiration for the Indonesian badminton women’s doubles player, who is paired with Apriyani Rahayu at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Greysia’s brother always encouraged the pair to strengthen their mentality so they can go far in the Olympics and bring home a medal.
“In December 2020, after I got married, my brother died. He was actually waiting for the Tokyo Games. It’s been a while, but I still cry when I talk about it. It’s motivating for me. In 2019, he told me and Apriyani the importance of mentality. How we train mentally, for example, through psychologists, reading motivational books,” Greysia said at the mixed zone Musashino Forest Sport, in Tokyo on Tuesday (27/7/2021).
Greysia paused for a moment to hold back tears, then masked her sadness with her trademark laugh. Apriyani supported her partner by stroking her back and whispering words of encouragement.
“He was very supportive and willing to wait until Tokyo 2020, but he couldn’t. He only waited for me to get married and that was all,” Greysia said.
The boost in motivation was used by Greysia and Apriyani against Japanese doubles pair Yuki Fukushima and Sayaka Hirota. Conditions of the first seeded women’s doubles was not optimal because Hirota’s right knee ligament was injured, limiting her movements. However, Fukushima and Hirota still performed well and forced a three-set match before losing 22-24, 21-13, 8-12.
In the quarterfinals, Greysia and Apriyani will face Chinese doubles pair Du Yue and Li Yin Hui.
Greysia and Apriyani’s victory completes Indonesia’s success in placing three doubles pairs as group winners and qualifying for the quarterfinals on the same day. The other two are men’s doubles pairs Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan, and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon. In the quarterfinals, Greysia and Apriyani will face Chinese doubles pair Du Yue and Li Yin Hui.
AFP/ALEXANDER NEMENOV
Indonesia\'s Greysia Polii (C) watches as Indonesia\'s Apriyani Rahayu hits a shot in their women\'s doubles badminton group stage match against Malaysia\'s Lee Meng Yean and Malaysia\'s Chow Mei Kuan during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza in Tokyo on July 24, 2021.
After being held to a 1-1 draw by Fukushima and Hirota, Greysia and Apriyani immediately stepped on the pedal in the third game. They forced a fast game with smash hits and deadly interceptions close to the net. The third game ended with a 13-point difference, 21-8.
“When their [conditions] are down, we take advantage of it. There was no hesitation. I’m happy we were able to play well and qualify for the quarterfinals,” Greysia said.
Greysia and Apriyani also praised the Japanese doubles pair’s struggles, especially Hirota, who played well despite a knee injury.
“It was extraordinary. As a fellow athlete at the Olympics, Hirota gives me spirit. I can feel what she’s feeling because I’ve experienced it, too,” Greysia said.
For 33-year-old Greysia, the Tokyo 2020 is her third Olympic Games, after the London 2012 Games and the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Games. However, Greysia has never won a medal. In Tokyo, Greysia is ready to do her best but is not burdened by any goals.
AP PHOTO/MARKUS SCHREIBER
Malaysia\'s Chow Mei Kuan, right, and Lee Meng Yean, left, play against Indonesia\'s Greysia Polii, and Apriyani Rahayu, during their women\'s doubles badminton match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Saturday, July 24, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
“I have nothing to lose. Winning or receiving anything, even just getting into the Olympics, is a bonus. I will make the most of the opportunity God has given me,” Greysia said.
