Rinov Apologizes For Being Eliminated In The 2024 Olympic Group Phase

JAKARTA Mixed doubles badminton player Rinov Rivaldy apologized after being eliminated from the Paris 2024 Olympic group stage with Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.

Rinov/Pitha were eliminated after losing 13-21 and 15-21 against the host pair, Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue, in the last match of Group A on Monday, July 29, 2024, afternoon WIB.

These results made the pair who won the Spain Masters 2024 finish as caretakers in the group stage. They lost a total of two times and won only once.

"I personally apologize to the family, coaches, PBSI, friends, and (the community) of Indonesia because the results have not been satisfactory," said Rinov as in the statement received.

"We want to get into the next round, but maybe this is the way it is, I'm still grateful. This is part of the experience because this is my first Olympics."

"We have maximally from preparation, training, etc., but this is the result we must receive," said Rinov again.

Rinov/Pitha actually started their journey in Paris well. They beat South Korean pair Kim Won-ho/Jeong Na-eun, in the first match.

However, in their second match they could not stem the first seed from China, Zheng Siwei/Huang Yaqiong. In this match they lost two straight games.

The defeat did not erase their chances, but provided they had to win the last game if they wanted to qualify. Unfortunately, they couldn't bring out their best in the deciding duel.

Rinov admits that throughout the match against Thom/Delphine they really couldn't get out of the pressure.

"The opponent seems to be more nothing to lose, while we are tense to win. It just backfired," he said.

Rinov/Pitha are the second representatives of Indonesia to be eliminated at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Previously, the women's doubles Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti had already failed to qualify for the knockout stages.