Nicknamed The Smiling Champion, This Is Greysia's Secret And Apriyani Appears Enjoyable On The Field

JAKARTA - KOI chairman Raja Sapta Oktohari gave the nickname The Smiling Champion for the women's doubles badminton pair Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu. The reason is, the two start the 'smile' ritual before competing.

"One of their advantages is that they never start the game before they smile. That's an advantage that I noticed. So the smiling champion before starting to smile, then he hits. So we call it the smiling champion," said Okto in a press conference for the Tokyo Olympic medal winners. 2020 online, Friday, August 6th.

Responding to the nickname, Greysia Polii admitted to learning from one of China's senior players, Gao Ling.

"He wants to die (in the match set, ed), what do you want, keep smiling, just laugh, (I think, ed) this person doesn't have a burden to live, plays really well. "Boost yourself to relax, but it can radiate to your partner. So that the partner can see that his friend is relaxed but actually tense, and that can help our tension," said Greys.

"And also the opponent is confused, how do you want to kill him but just smile. I once fought Gao Ling, but I got annoyed because he kept smiling. And I couldn't beat him, that's what I took," he continued.

So, what is the secret of Greysia-Apriyani not to be tense and enjoy the match until she wins Olympic gold?

Greys said the composure to enjoy a match was a boon for the woman, who set a new record as the oldest player to win a gold medal at 33 years and 11 months.

"Enjoying and enjoying the game is not built in one day, but for years we wake up in everyday life, in training and there will be an awareness that we are enjoying the game. We are proud of playing that we can enjoy. It is a blessing for us to play with enjoyment and want to win, ' explained Gray.

Meanwhile, Apriyani revealed the reason she seemed to enjoy playing on the field while competing. He admitted, the chemistry is obtained because the two communicate with each other.

"We accept each other on the field, don't get upset in it, support each other between me, Sis Greys and the coach," said Apri.

Apri admitted that he was not as happy as the public saw. However, he said that a positive aura should be brought by both in every match.

"We don't feel enjoy on the field but just bring a positive air, finally enjoy it. It goes away without us realizing it," he said.

Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu agreed that the Olympics were indeed the main target for all athletes. "We want to be Olympic champions, but we didn't think we would get it, because we still don't believe it even though it's real. That may express what the Olympics mean for me and Apri," said Greys.

On the women's doubles side, Greys said she never thought she had to win or have to be high achievers. Greys said he only lived day after day when he had a dream to become a champion.

"I just think in everyday life to try, fight, pray, so that can make this Olympic champion and others," said Greys.

Including, wanting to make a new history for the women's doubles badminton sport. Where, during the Olympics the women's doubles badminton team has not broken eggs.

"Honestly, since I was little, I wanted to fill this void in the badminton sector, especially since the women's doubles didn't have much to be proud of. I've wanted to fill this vacancy in the women's doubles since I was little so that there could be achievements. Not only because Apri and I want to prove it, but we We want to achieve through this women's doubles itself. Because we can choose to play women's doubles, women's singles or mix doubles. But we choose to play in women's doubles and we want to excel in women's doubles, "explained Greysia Polii.