Menpora: Greysia/Apriyani Srikandi Pride Of Indonesia

Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu/ANTARA

JAKARTA - The Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Zainudin Amali said that Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu deserved to be called Indonesian heroines. Both of them managed to bring home the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medal for the Red and White contingent.

According to Zainudin, Greysia/Apriyani's score is very proud because they have also made history as the first Indonesian women's doubles to win an Olympic gold medal.

"I feel grateful for the achievement of Indonesian badminton women's doubles at the Tokyo Olympics with a gold medal, which is the first in the history of our participation in the Olympics," said Menpora Zainudin, quoted by Antara, Monday, August 2.

Zainudin said he was happy to see Greysia/Apriyani playing freely against the second seeded pair from China Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan in the final.

The message to play freely without pressure and the demand for a gold medal, said Zainudin, had also been conveyed directly to the world number six pair during a video call with the two after winning the semifinal match against the South Korean pair Lee So-hee / Shin Seung-chan, Saturday. , July 31.

"I am very aware of that. Thank God the method is right and we can see their performances that are carefree, but still focused on collecting point by point. Congratulations to the heroes of Indonesian sports," he said.

The unseeded Greysia/Apriyani actually managed to overthrow the Chinese pair Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan in two games 21-19, 21-15 and secured Indonesia's first gold at the Tokyo Olympics.

With this result, Greysia/Apriyani also made history as the first Indonesian women's doubles to donate Olympic gold since badminton was competed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, as well as complete the badminton gold collection from all sectors.