Verawaty Fajrin's Way Of Life, Dies With Memories That Make Indonesia Great In The World

Verawaty Fajrin (Photo: is)

JAKARTA - Verawaty Fajrin is an Indonesian badminton legend. She has won 12 SEA Games gold medals throughout her career.

She has also won a gold medal in the women's doubles event in the Asian Games which she won in 1978. She is also listed as a world champion twice, namely in 1980 (women's singles) and 1986 (mixed doubles), which made her name even more on the world stage.

Verawaty has contributed to bringing pride to the Indonesian nation in various international championships. Government assistance, according to her, is not comparable to the achievements that have been made by the 1978 Asian Games gold winner.

In women's singles, the Indonesian Badminton Legend born in Jakarta, October 1, 1957, successfully won the 1980 World Championships in Jakarta. She became the champion after defeating her partner, Ivana Lie, 11-1, 11-3 in the final.

A year earlier, together with Imelda Wigoena, Vera also won the 1979 All England champion after beating Atsuko Tokuda/Mikiko Takada (Japan), 15-3, 10-15, 15-5. They also became the second Indonesian women's doubles pair to be successful at All England after Minarni/Retno Kustiyah who did it in 1968. Together with Imelda, Vera won the 1981 SEA Games Manila gold.

Together with Imelda, Vera also won a gold medal at the VIII/1978 Asian Games in Bangkok. They in the final beat Chiu Yu Fang/Cheng Hui Ming (China). Previously, they also won the 1978 Denmark Open title.

Beyond that, there are still other great achievements. Together with Eddy Hartono, Vera previously also helped Indonesia bring the 1989 Sudirman Cup. They became the decisive victory for the Garuda team 3-2 over South Korea in the final after overcoming Park Joo-bong/Chung Myung-hee, 18-13, 15-3.

When news of Vera suffering from cancer surfaced, help came. As previously reported, Erick Thohir gave his support to former badminton player Verawaty Fajrin who was undergoing treatment at Dharmais Hospital, Jakarta due to lung cancer.

While visiting the badminton world champion, Wednesday, September 21, Erick, who came with BNI President Director Royke Tumilaar, advised Verawaty to focus on efforts to restore health so that she could return to playing tennis, a sport she does every morning.

As previously reported, Erick Thohir gave her support to former badminton player Verawaty Fajrin who was undergoing treatment at Dharmais Hospital, Jakarta due to lung cancer.

While visiting the badminton world champion, Wednesday, September 21, Erick, who came with BNI President Director Royke Tumilaar, advised Verawaty to focus on efforts to restore health so that she could return to playing tennis, a sport she does every morning.

"Get well soon, Mrs. Vera. Don't think too much about it. God willing, BNI and the government will help with the difficulties you are experiencing. Just focus on treatment so that you can really recover and be able to come back to playing tennis every morning," said Erick in a written statement, on Thursday 22 September.

Erick recalled the moment when Verawaty was appointed by him as the Chief Executive of the 2018 Asian Games. She also had the honor of handing over the torch to President Joko Widodo on the sidelines of the commemoration of Indonesian Independence on 17 August 2018 at the State Palace.

President Joko Widodo also gave directions to the Ministry of Youth and Sports to provide assistance in undergoing intensive care. All costs and facilities provided to Verawaty will be assisted by the government.

However, unfortunately, Verawaty Fajrin did not survive. Cancer is the way to end her age on Sunday, November 21, 2021, at 06.58 western Indonesia time.