Jakarta Globe, Amal Ganesha, August 18, 2016
 |
Indonesian gold medalists, Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir, pose as if
biting their medals. (Reuters Photo/Mike Blake) |
Jakarta.
Indonesia has finally secured its first gold at Rio de Janeiro Olympics 2016
after badminton's mixed doubles pair Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir crushed
Malaysia's Goh Liu Ying and Chan Peng Soon, in a victory dubbed as the best
"gift" for the country's independence day on August 17.
Tontowi and
Liliyana won in a straight game of 21-14 and 21-12, dominantly attacking with
typical high speed tempo and powerful smashes, making the Malaysians seemed
inferior to the world's number three before closing the game in less than one
hour.
Supported
by more than 100 Indonesian fans dressed in red and white and banging
noisemaker sticks, the hyper-aggressive Tontowi repeatedly smashed through Goh
and Chan's defenses, with Lilyana almost impregnable at the net.
Malaysia
have waited 52 years for an Olympic champion in badminton, but their hopes of
breaking the drought were extinguished by the rampant Indonesian pair.
 |
| Badminton - Mixed Doubles - Gold Medal Match |
Good
Teamwork
The
Indonesian pair showed tactical advantages with good task specialization on the
field. Liliyana covered at front with her unique intercept smashes and flat
balls, as Tontowi covered the back with his powerful jump smashes and lobs.
The
Malaysians were mostly overwhelmed by Tontowi's smashes from the back, as well
as his clever drop-shots -- which were equally effective.
In the
first set, Tontowi and Liliyana went very aggressive, leaving their opponents
10 points behind whilst the game just reached 15 minutes. They finished the
first set with a confident 21-14.
The
Malaysians had then surrendered the second set meekly with only 12 points, with
Goh netting on the final point and triggered frenetic celebrations for the
Indonesians around the arena.
 |
| Badminton - Mixed Doubles - Gold Medal Match |
Speaking
after the game, Liliyana expressed her relief after the high pressure she
received during the Olympics.
"I
still couldn't believe it [the gold], this is the gold for Indonesia's
independence day," she said. "I want to take a break and enjoy this
win first. Honestly, there has been high pressure on us during this [Olympic]
event."
The pair
will be granted Rp 5 billion ($380,000) bonus after the gold, as Tontowi said
he will use it for his children.
"This
is the most beautiful gift, thanks to all coaches!" Tontowi said after the
game. "I never think of it [the bonus], but yes, I want to save it for my
kids."
 |
| Badminton - Mixed Doubles - Gold Medal Match |
Chan and
Goh were philosophical about the loss, having enjoyed an excellent tournament
in which they upset the reigning Chinese champions in the semi-finals.
"I
feel this is tremendous for our country, because not one single Malaysian pair
has won any medal in the mixed doubles, so we have already made history,"
said Goh.
First Gold
For Mixed Doubles
Indonesia's
badminton's mixed doubles had never achieved gold in previous Olympics, as the
current victory marked its first, the federation chairman revealed.
"20
years in the making: 1st mixed doubles Olympic gold for Indonesia. Special for
Indonesia's 71 anniversary," Indonesia badminton federation PBSI chairman
Gita Wirjawan cheered via his Twitter account after the win.
The
tradition of gold from badminton was often earned from men's doubles, with last
achieved by Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
However, Tontowi and Liliyana's victory has indeed been all sorts of the first.
Indonesia
has sent 28 athletes from seven sports to compete in Rio Olympics, with most
coming from badminton. The country's only chance to add more medals now lies in
the hands of BMX rider Toni Syarifudin, who has just started his race.
