Thomas And Uber Cups Overtake, Paris Olympics Challenging

Indonesian men's team for the second time in a row lost in the Thomas Cup final after losing 1-3 to host China. (Doc. PBSI)

JAKARTA Indonesia did fail to bring home the gold medal at the 2024 Thomas and Uber Cups. But hopefully to continue the positive trend in the Olympics still exists.

The Thomas and Uber Merah Putih teams failed to win the title in this biennial team badminton tournament. The men's team lost 1-3, while the women's team lost 0-3 to host China in the final which was held at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, Sunday (5/5/2024).

For the men's team, this is the third time they have appeared in the top matches. Jonatan Christie and his friends brought home the Thomas Cup in 2020 in Aarhus, Denmark, but in the last two editions they had to settle for losing to India in 2022 and are now losing to the Bamboo Curtain country. Meanwhile, the women's team, this first penetrated the final since 1996. At that time, Indonesia successfully married the Thomas and Uber Cup titles.

Responding to Indonesia's failure to bring home the title in this biennial event, the Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Dito Ariotedjo said the two teams had fought optimally in China.

"I really appreciate the struggle of Indonesian badminton athletes who have fought optimally in the 2024 Thomas Cup," Dito said on the Kemenpora website.

The nickname in China does not mean the end for Indonesian badminton. The hope to continue the medal trend in the Olympics is still wide open, especially if you look at the Thomas team's performance in Chengdu.

For information, Indonesia sent six parties from badminton for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Two from the men's singles, namely Jonathan Christie, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, one men's doubles Fajar Alfian / Muhammad Rian Ardianto, one women's singles Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, women's doubles Apriyani Rahayu / Siti Fadila Silva Ramadhanti, and mixed doubles Rinov Rivaldy / Pitha Haningtyas Mentari.

In the Thomas Cup, Ginting did not move in front of Shi Yu QI. Facing the world number two men's singles, Ginting seemed to lose focus and was so burdened that he had to give up two straight sets 21-17, 21-6.

But don't forget, the Bandung-born player, October 20, 1996, looked stunning at All England last March, where he advanced until the final. Ginting beat Kenta Nishimoto, eliminated Victor Axelsen's first seed, and surpassed French player Christo Popov. He finally lost to his compatriot, Jonatan Christie 21-15-21-14, in the final.

Seeing Ginting's recent performance, it is not impossible for him to repeat his achievements at the Olympics four years ago when he presented a bronze medal in Tokyo.

Another men's singles, Jonatan Christie, is arguably currently the most ready-to-fight player at the Paris Olympics. After ending the All England men's singles title fast some time ago, Jojo's nickname swept through six 2024 Thomas Cup matches with a win.

In the group stage, he defeated Nadeem Dalvi from England, then Jamsri's suggestion from Thailand, then Lakshya Sen from India. After that in the quarter-finals Jojo beat South Korean badminton player Cho Geongyeop, to meet Wang Tzu Wei from China Taipei who he defeated in two straight sets.

Against Li Shing Feng in the final, Jonathan who carried the burden because Indonesia was 0-2 behind, was able to play calmly and confidently even though the opposing player received full support from the host supporters.

The roar of Chinese supporters in Chengdu did not dampen the enthusiasm of the player on September 15, 1997, who managed to postpone the hosts' victory through the rubber set 16-21, 21-15, 17-21.

"I appreciate Jojo's performance, who is 0-2 behind, he can still put out his fighting spirit very well, although mentally it must not be easy for Jojo but he can give a winning point for Indonesia," said Yuni Kartika, the AD Hoc PBSI team.

Thus, Jonathan Christie continued his positive unbeaten trend in 16 matches in a total of three tournaments that participated from All England to the Thomas Cup. This result is a good capital for Jonathan to face the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In the men's doubles sector, the Fajar/Rian pair also lost to Liang Wei Yekong/Wang Chang despite being able to provide fierce resistance. Fajri will be the only representative of Indonesia's men's doubles at the 2024 Olympics after Bagas Maulana/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin do not have qualified points to appear in Paris.

Head of PBSI Development and Achievement Division Ricky Subagja regretted the failure of the two pairs of men's doubles to qualify for the Olympics. According to his view, both Bagas/Fikri and Leo/Daniel had great opportunities, but their appearance did not match expectations in the precarious times of collecting points.

With this condition, players will have to struggle for the next four years to be able to appear in the Olympics. The struggle over the next four years will certainly not be easy. In addition to the increasing age, new talents will also emerge, especially since the competition in the men's doubles is very tight because almost every country has a promising men's doubles.

"Like Bakri or say the current Pelatnas athletes, whether they can wait the next four years. Well, athletes should give more when given the opportunity," said Ricky.

"The opportunity exists, it is used as well as possible. That's my hope. This is an emphasis, it should be more enthusiastic, I have to enter strong desire, because there is an opportunity."

Badminton has become Indonesia's mainstay sport in multi-event Olympics. Since its debut in 1992, badminton has often contributed medals to the Indonesian contingent. It was recorded that only once this badminton branch failed to bring home a medal.

In 1992, the Red and White flag flew after men's singles athlete Alan Budikusuma defeated Ardy Wiranata in the Indonesian season final. At that time, Indonesia also won a gold medal through the women's singles sector which was won by Susi Susanti.

Since then, Indonesian badminton athletes have barely missed the Olympic podium. In the 1996 edition, men's doubles Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky won gold, equipped with a bronze medal from the pair Antonius Ariantho/Denny Hartono. There are also Mia Audina and Susi Susanti who each brought silver and bronze.

Four years later Tony Gunawan/Candra Wijaya's men's doubles maintained gold, while Hendrawan brought home a silver medal. Mixed doubles Tri Kusharjanto/Minarti Timur contributed a silver medal.

Then in 2004, the bronze medal was presented by the men's doubles pair Eng Hian/Flandy Limpele. In the same year, Taufik Hidayat won gold and Sony Dwi Kuncoro was ranked third.

In 2008, badminton contributed one gold medal through the men's doubles pair Markis Kido / Hendra Setiawan, one silver from Nova Widianto / Liliyana Natsir, and one bronze through Maria Kristin Yulianti.

After being without a podium in the 2012 edition, the Olympic medal tradition from Indonesia's badminton branch returned to action with gold in Rio de Janeiro through the pair Tantowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir. Finally four years ago, it was Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting's turn to bring home gold and bronze.