When Love and Achievement Intertwine in Vietnam

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Indonesian shooting athlete Fathur Gustafian (left) with female shooting athlete Dewi Laila Mubarokah won the final number 10 meter individual air rifle for the men's shooting branch of the SEA Games Vietnam 2021 at the Sport Training Center Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday (17/5/2022).

The story of Fathur Gustavian and Dewi Laila Mubarakoh reminds us of the ‘golden couple’ in badminton, Susy Susanti and Alan Budikusuma. They have once again proven that love can break down challenges in the arena.

Indonesia has a legendary athlete couple, Susy Susanti and Alan Budikusuma. They were nicknamed the "golden couple" after bringing home gold medals from men’s and women’s badminton singles matches at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. A similar story was repeated in the shooting arena of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games 2021 in Vietnam. Indonesian shooter couple, Dewi Laila and Fathur Gustavian, once again proved that love can break down challenges and difficulties.

Fathur and Dewi show both as lovers and athletes that they complement each other. However, their love story is different from most couples. When other couples “date” in romantic places, they do so in the shooting range. Their struggle paid off sweetly with the achievement of two gold medals for Indonesia.

Without Fathur, perhaps there would be no gold medal for Indonesia from the shooting range. Vice versa. Without Dewi, Fathur might not be able to beat Singapore's Zen Joi Lionel Wong in the men's individual 10-meter air rifle final.

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When Fathur and Wong competed for gold medals, tension rose in the shooting arena for the SEA Games at the National Sports Training Center, Hanoi, on Tuesday afternoon (17/5/2022). Fathur, who had a narrow 0.1-point lead, was under serious threat from Wong.

The last shot would determine the winner of the final. Fathur's face was tense for a moment.

Even so, he tried to control his feelings. Just before the firing signal started, Fathur turned to the stands. He was pensive for five seconds. His eyes didn't blink as he looked at Dewi and her colleagues shouted encouragingly.

After gazing at the stands, Fathur sighed. He refocused his gaze on the target. As soon as the signal to shoot was heard, he concentrated. When he was sure enough, he opened fire.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Indonesian shooting athlete Fathur Gustafian in action in the final number 10 meter individual air rifle men's shooting branch SEA Games Vietnam 2021 at Sport Training Center Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday (17/5/2022). Fathur Gustafian won the gold medal in this event.

The monitor screen above the arena showed Fathur had 10.9 points on the last shot. The gold medal officially belonged to Fathur. He won the final with 247.4 points, beating Wong's 246.5 points.

Knowing he had won the gold, Fathur immediately clenched his fists and shouted. His eyes welled up with tears in the crowd.

“In the last shot, I gave up. It turned out it hit 10.9. I was surprised," he said.

A moment later, Fathur approached Dewi who had just come down from the tribune. The two hugged while carrying the red-and-white flag. The day before, Fathur shouted encouraging Dewi, while on that day, Dewi did the same for Fathur. Thanks to Fathur's support, Dewi surpassed her obstacles and was able to surprise her by winning a gold medal in the same number.

Dewi's presence also made Fathur survive the pressure of the competition. When his shot is far from the target, Fathur always turned to the stands.

"I feel they give me strength. I shoot with their help. So, [ I am] not alone," said Fathur.

Understanding each other

For Dewi, Fathur is a person who understands her needs even though she has to lose the opportunity to be together for a while. The day before the competition, Dewi felt unable to focus and concentrate her mind.

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As usual, Dewi chose to be alone for a whole day. She turned off his cell phone and avoided contact with the people around her. At that time, Fathur was worried and asked how she was.

"Even with me, you don't want to meet, too?" said Dewi imitating Fathur's words.

Dewi agreed to the question. Fathur was not angry and tried to understand. He let his girlfriend be alone for a moment.

As if forgetting Dewi's cold attitude the day before, Fathur became the first person to provide support when his girlfriend appeared. Throughout the race, Fathur kept shouting encouragingly. When Dewi's parents could not support her directly in Hanoi, Fathur took their place.

Just like Dewi, Fathur also got a new spirit and energy when he looked into his girlfriend's eyes. The overflow of enthusiasm from his loved one made Fathur confident that he would be able to win the final.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Indonesian shooting athlete Fathur Gustafian kisses his girlfriend who is also a female athlete shooting Dewi Laila Mubarokah when he won the final number 10 meter individual air rifle for the men's shooting branch of the SEA Games Vietnam 2021 at the Sport Training Center Hanoi, Hanoi, Vietnam, Tuesday (17/5/2022).

Ipung Saeful Tammammie, the coach of the Indonesian shooting team, said that Fathur and Dewi had known each other since 2014 or some time before the National Games (PON) for young athletes in East Java. They were members of the West Java regional training center (Puslatda). Starting from the practice together, their feelings grew, going through ups and downs

During their relationship, both of them supported each other's careers. Fathur and Dewi are always there when one of them is in need. For example, when she failed to represent West Java at the 2021 Papua PON, Dewi was down.

However, Fathur comforted Dewi and encouraged her. On the other hand, because she did not compete at PON, Dewi gave her full strength to support Fathur. Dewi's support ignited Fathur's spirit so that he managed to win three gold medals at PON.

“This is an example that the relationship supports each other, not puts each other down. They go through their ups and downs together, don't leave each other," said Ipung.

Ipung added that his side did not limit the athletes from having a romantic relationship. However, they must be professional and not confuse personal matters with work. Do not let personal problems affect their performance on the field.

After the SEA Games, Fathur and Dewi set a higher target. In addition to continuing to support each other to pursue higher achievements, they decided to get married this year.

Support from a lover in the arena also motivated long jump athlete Maria Natalia Londa to give her best effort in Vietnam despite the difficult situation. Overshadowed by recurring knee injuries, Maria was still able to win bronze medals in the long jump and triple jump.

She is always accompanied by her coach and husband, I Made Sukariata.

“I am patient [continuing my career] because many people support and love me, one of them is Made. If not, I might have given up a long time ago," said Maria, who had once intended to retire at the end of 2019.

This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo.