Failed to Continue the Struggle at the 2023 Badminton World Championships, Chico: There's Definitely a Feeling of Sadness, But I Have to Keep My Spirits Up

Indonesian men's singles, Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo. (Photo: Twitter @INABadminton)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's men's singles at the 2023 Badminton World Championships are certainly not left. Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, who was the only remaining representative, failed in the round of 32.

Chico had to admit Prannoy HS' superiority through a two-game match on Wednesday, 23 in the morning of Western Indonesian Time (WIB). He surrendered 9-21, 14-21 after struggling for 36 minutes.

Chico admits there is a sense of sadness with this defeat. However, he did not want to be discouraged.

"I have to keep my spirits up. I have to think positively. There are still many championships ahead," said Chico after the match.

In his match, Chico said he had tried his best. Even though he lost badly in the first game, Chico actually found a suitable pattern of play in the second game.

In the second game, he was able to control the game in the front zone and was able to catch up to a 13-13 draw.

"However, after that the opponent changed his game pattern. From defending a lot, he changed to be more focused on the front game. He also took more initiative to attack," said the athlete from Jayapura, Papua, as reported by Antara.

Chico did not immediately adapt by changing the pattern of the game. As a result, he was kept under pressure until Prannoy was able to win a number of points in a row until the game was over.

"I myself even followed the pattern of the opponent's game. Instead of returning to the pattern of attack, I became more defensive. I opened up a lot and in the end I became more attacked by opponents," he said.

These results made Chico record three consecutive defeats to Prannoy, with the current meeting score being 1-3.

In the two previous matches that also took place this year, Chico was still able to provide fierce resistance to Prannoy by playing all the way to the rubber game, even though the end did not turn out as expected.

"Admittedly, the opponent is indeed better. As I said before, the opponent has good strokes. Also has a lot of experience. In this match, he controlled a lot. With good stroke technique, throughout the match I was constantly controlled," he concluded.