Confessing To Face New Challenges At Tokyo Paralympics, Leani Ratri: The Food Is Delicious, I Have To Control My Appetite

Indonesian women's badminton player Leani Ratri Oktila (left) (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesian para-badminton athlete Leani Ratri Oktila admits that she is ready to compete in three numbers at once in her debut at the Tokyo Paralympics which will take place on Wednesday. However, he faces a new challenge. What's that?

In the inaugural para-badminton competition at the Paralympics, Ratri will play in women's singles SL4, women's doubles SL3-SU5 paired with Khalimatus Sadiyah, and mixed doubles SL3-SU5 paired with Hary Susanto.

Cited from Antara, Tuesday, since being in Japan since August 19 with the Indonesian badminton team, Ratri has undergone a one-week training camp in Machida before gathering with other Indonesian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) athletes at the Paralympic athletes' guesthouse in Tokyo on August 26.

"Today's exercise was only a light stroke. We were also given a program to undergo a match between players", said Ratri, as reported by NPC Indonesia's official statement.

The athlete from Riau recounted that since being in Tokyo the para-badminton team has continued the training menu, but with portions that are not too heavy.

During two weeks in Japan, Ratri began to get used to the weather conditions in Tokyo. However, the 30-year-old athlete is now faced with another challenge.

"The weather and air here are not much different from Indonesia, so there is no problem. But while here, new challenges arise. Since the food here is delicious, I have to control my appetite so I don't overdo it", said Ratri.

The draw for the division of the para-badminton group has been carried out, but Ratri admits that she is still blind to the strength of the opponent that will be faced later.

"Because during this pandemic there is no tournament being held, so I don't really know the opponent's strength. But I will definitely fight as much as possible", said Ratri.

In Wednesday's match, Ratri/Hary will appear in the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles group A. They will face vice-host Daisuke Fujihara/Akiko Sugino.

Furthermore, on Thursday the day after tomorrow, Ratri will play two matches at once. In the women's doubles SL3-SU5, Ratri/Khalimatus faced the representatives of Thailand, Nipada Saensupa/Chanida Srinavakul, in the preliminary Group B. But unfortunately in the women's singles sector SL4, Ratri had to play against her partner in the women's doubles, Khalimatus, in the preliminary Group A.