Remembers Verawaty Fajrin, Taufik Hidayat: A Good And Friendly Figure, But Strict In Training

Illustration - Mixed doubles pair Eddy Hartono (right)/Verawaty Fajrin (left) (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The death of badminton legend Verawaty Fajrin after battling lung cancer, left a deep sorrow for the national badminton community considering her services and achievements for the country.

One of them is a former national badminton player, Taufik Hidayat, who experienced being directly trained by the 1980 world champion athlete.

"What is clear is that I am very saddened by the death of Mrs. Vera. I was in the same environment with her when she first entered the national training, she was a good and friendly person, but strict in training," said Taufik, as quoted by Antara.

The 2004 Athens Olympic gold medalist recounted her most memorable moment with Verawaty at the Cipayung National Training Center, where she was severely reprimanded in connection with the training process.

Even so, Taufik assessed that her warning at that time was a form of attention from the coach to her students so that in the future they can play better and become reliable players.

"She is fierce, but still in a reasonable stage because her goal is to be better at badminton. She wants her athletes to be successful, and that is a natural thing from senior to junior. I used that anger as motivation and did not hold grudges against her," Taufik recounted.

According to PP PBSI's official statement on Sunday, Vera passed away at the age of 64 after undergoing treatment for lung cancer. Until the end of her life, Vera left her husband, Fadjriansyah Bidoein, a daughter Fidyandini, and two grandchildren.

Vera's body was buried at the Tanah Kusir TPU, South Jakarta by departing from the funeral home in the DKI Cipayung Lot, Durian Street Block T1 No.23 RT01/08, Cipayung, East Jakarta, and previously prayed at the Al Islam Cipayung Mosque, East Jakarta.