His ability to remain focused after his defeat in the semifinals and compete again for the bronze medal was no easy feat.
By
YULIA SAPTHIANI
·6 minutes read
Kompas
Bronze medalist Indonesia\'s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting celebrate during the medal ceremony of men\'s singles Badminton at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan.
Standing on the medal podium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, even if not in first place, is a dream come true for Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. It is hoped that winning the bronze medal will lead to an even better outcome at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Anthony, who generally has a calm and quiet demeanor, was an interesting interview subject. His interview with Kompas journalist Agung Setyahadi in the mixed zone of Musashino Forest Sport Plaza was full of jokes, even after his defeat to Chen Long of China in the badminton men’s singles semifinal on Sunday (1/8/2021).
The 24-year-old badminton player was all smiles. While he did not deny that the defeat was a disappointment, he also viewed his loss as motivation for future self-improvement.
His ability to remain focused after his defeat in the semifinals and compete again for the bronze medal was no easy feat. Indeed, while Anthony continued to smile and appeared calm on the outside, his feelings were raging inside. After winning the bronze medal, he admitted that he had trouble sleeping on the eve of his playoff against Kevin Cordon of Guatemala.
Anxiety had felt his mind wander, and he was worried that he would fail like he did in his semifinal match against Chen. During such moments, his thoughts always turn to his family and close friends, and he surrenders to God.
The night before the bronze medal playoff, he prayed to attain inner peace. He also confided in those closest to him to find a shoulder to lean on, as well as to move on from his disappointing semifinal loss.
One thing that always succeeds in reinvigorating his spirit is his parents’ message to him. The night before the playoff, his parents encouraged Anthony to accept his defeat in the semifinals and pick himself up to win the bronze medal.
“My parents are the most important. They told me it was OK to lose [in the semifinals] and that there was still a chance to win a [bronze] medal. I’m very grateful that I was given the opportunity to compete in the Olympics. This is my first Olympics and anything could happen. I did not think I would get this far,” said Anthony.
AFP/ALEXANDER NEMENOV
Denmark\'s Viktor Axelsen (C) poses with his men\'s singles badminton gold medal next to China\'s Chen Long (L) with his silver medal and Indonesia\'s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting (R) with his bronze medal at a ceremony during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza in Tokyo on August 2, 2021.
Anthony’s ability to control his emotions allowed him to bounce back, even though it was not easy. He often looks to the past, to the beginning of his badminton career. The path he took, filled with obstacles, has led him to rank among the world’s elite athletes.
Ade Rukman, his coach during his time at PB Sangkuriang Graha Sarana (SGS) PLN Bandung, said Anthony had special qualities since he was a child. One of these qualities, Ade said, was his strong wrist, an important asset for a badminton player.
“With this advantage, his game has never been average. His style is varied, which can pose difficulties for his opponents. This is why he is often compared to Taufik Hidayat, who also has this uniqueness,” said Ade.
Ade has known Anthony since he first started training at the SGS when he was around 6 or 7 years old. Since the SGS has numerous training camps in various locations across Bandung, Anthony trained under several different coaches, including Ade.
Other than Anthony’s physical advantage, Ade also saw another side to Anthony, who won the bronze medal at the 2014 Junior World Championships. “He’s a quiet person. During a match, he is always calm when he is playing. He is very focused and always thinking. He is also very diligent in practicing,” said Ade.
Setting sights on Paris 2024
Competing in the Olympics is a dream come true for Anthony. While he is yet to win a gold medal, his achievements in winning the bronze medal must not be understated.
To win an Olympic medal, whether gold, silver or bronze, athletes must make a great effort. Participating in the Olympics during the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular, has been even more difficult since the preparatory stage.
AFP/PEDRO PARDO
Indonesia\'s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting celebrates after beating Guatemala\'s Kevin Cordon in their men\'s singles badminton bronze medal match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza in Tokyo on August 2, 2021.
Anthony first came across the prestige of the Olympics when he watched the London 2012 Olympics at the age of just 15. Before that, he did not pay much attention to the Olympic Games, even when Taufik Hidayat, whom he now idolizes, won the gold medal in the badminton men’s singles at Athens 2004.
Seventeen years have since passed from the moment Taufik won his Olympic gold. Anthony has ended Indonesia’s long wait for another Olympic medal in the badminton men’s singles. After Taufik succeeded in claiming gold in 2004 and Sony Dwi Kuncoro took bronze that same year, Indonesia has not won another medal in the men’s singles. Anthony is the first Indonesian athlete to win an Olympic medal in the badminton men’s singles since Taufik and Sony.
His achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics can be a launchpad to gold for Anthony, such as with China’s Chen Long. Chen, who ranks sixth in the men’s singles, won bronze at the London 2012 Olympics and gold at Rio 2016. He won silver at Tokyo 2020.
“It’s a possibility. I hope I can be like that,” said Anthony.
“But of course, I need to improve many things, mentally as well as physically. The next Olympics will be tougher. All athletes want the gold medal. So far, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has been the most valuable experience for me,” he added.
Athletes were unable to prepare optimally because of restrictions imposed on public mobility and activities, which have also led to the cancellation of many local championships.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games is indeed both a unique and difficult experience, as it is taking place during the pandemic. Athletes were unable to prepare optimally because of restrictions imposed on public mobility and activities, which have also led to the cancellation of many local championships.
Anthony decided to make peace with the current situation. “I can’t use the pandemic as an excuse, as other athletes are affected by it, too. Just enjoy the process,” he said.
AFP/ALEXANDER NEMENOV
Indonesia\'s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting hits a shot to Russia\'s Sergey Sirant in their men\'s singles badminton group stage match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza in Tokyo on July 28, 2021.
When competing in three tournaments in Thailand in January 2021, he used the opportunity to train mentally for the Olympics. He made all preparations to get to the Olympics athletes’ village, where strict health protocols are implemented. Living under pressure has not made him complain. This mentality helped Anthony to win his first Olympic medal. His Olympic bronze stands testament to Indonesia’s potential for claiming other victories in the badminton men’s singles at the Olympics in the future.
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting
Born:20 Oct. 1996
World ranking:5
Achievements:
· First place, 2017 Korea Open Super Series
· First place, 2018 China Open
· Third place, 2018 Asian Games
· First place, 2018 Indonesia Masters
· Finalist, 2019 BWF World Tour
· First place, 2020 Indonesia Masters
· Third place, Tokyo 2020 Olympics
(This article was translated byAstria Zahra Nabila)
