Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu took a winding road to get sweet results at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Indonesia deserves to be grateful to them.
By
AGUNG SETYAHADI
·4 minutes read
AFP/ALEXANDER NEMENOV
Indonesian women\'s doubles pair, Apriyani Rahayu/Greysia Polii hug and cry after winning the women\'s doubles gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at Musashino Forest Sports Plaza, Tokyo, Japan, Monday (8/2/2021) after defeating the Chinese pair, Chen Qingchen. and Jia Yifan, in the final.
TOKYO, KOMPAS — Greysia Polii had intended to retire from badminton when Apriyani Rahayu entered the Cipayung National Training Center four years ago. She wanted to continue her career because Apriyani, who is 10 years younger, was willing to work hard to follow the winding road of the champions. Greysia guided Apriyani, as well as transmitted the dream of winning an Olympic gold medal that she had harbored since she was a teenager. They made that dream come true at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and made Indonesia smile amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
They won the Tokyo 2020 women\'s doubles badminton gold medal after defeating the Chinese pair, Chen Qingchen/Jia Yifan, in the final match at Musashino Forest Sport Plaza, Tokyo, Japan, Monday (2/8/2021). Greysia/Apriyani won in two games, 21-19, 21-15, and made history as the first Indonesian women\'s doubles pair to win a medal at the Olympics. They also placed Indonesia as the second country after China to win gold medals in five badminton events.
Greysia, who will be 34 years old on 11 August, proved that her choice to stay in the national training team with Apriyani was the right one. The player, who has had it all her own way in the world of badminton and has won many achievements, both in the mixed doubles and women\'s doubles, started by demanding Apriyani\'s commitment, and Apriyani answered with a willingness to go up and down on the field.
The mental toughness of the two was seen in the final match. When almost overtaken at the end of the first game, from 19-14 to 19-18, they were able to hold on and end the first game with a win. In the arena without the presence of spectators, their enthusiasm was pumped by the shouts of "Indonesia, Indonesia" from the group of the Contingent Chair and the staff of the Indonesian Olympic Committee who continued to give encouragement.
The loudest shouts and applause occurred when China\'s double punch at the end of the second game was out of the field and ensured Greysia/Apriyani won the gold medal. A handful of Red and White supporters pranced in the empty stands. They clenched their fists in the air. Shouts erupted again after the challenge submitted by Chen/Jia made sure the cock was out of the field.
We thank God and everyone who supports us, as well as our coaches.
“Does anyone believe we are Olympic champions? We are speechless. We thank God and everyone who supports us, as well as our coaches,” said Greysia, who together with Apriyani burst into tears after winning the gold.
AP PHOTO/DITA ALANGKARA
Indonesia\'s Greysia Polii, right, and Apriyani Rahayu celebrate with their gold medals after defeating China\'s Chen Qing Chen and Jia Yi Fan during their women\'s doubles gold medal match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo expressed his gratitude in a video call after the medal presentation. The President said he was happy and proud of the achievement of Greysia and Apriyani. "On behalf of all Indonesian people, I congratulate you on your gold success," said President Jokowi from the Bogor Palace.
Greysia/Apriyani\'s performance was judged by Jia Yifan to prove how hard they prepared during practice. The Chinese player was amazed by the stamina of the Indonesian pair, who were able to play consistently throughout the match.
Bronze in men\'s singles
The women\'s doubles success in winning Olympic gold was complemented by Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, who won a bronze medal in the men\'s singles. Anthony did not waste the opportunity in his debut at the Olympics by defeating the Guatemalan player, Kevin Cordon, 21-11, 21-13.
The gold medal in this discipline was won by a Danish player, Viktor Axelsen, who thwarted an attempt by Chen Long (China) to defend his title with a 21-15, 21-12 victory. In total, China won two gold from the women\'s singles and mixed doubles. The other three golds were divided for Indonesia (women\'s doubles), Taiwan (men\'s doubles), and Denmark (men\'s singles).
