London Olympics 2012 : The moment when Indonesia “Gold Medal Tradition” is at stake?

London Olympics Games, the biggest international sport festival this year will be held on July 27- August 12 2012. The moment is getting closer, but I do not know what to expect (for my motherland, Indonesia) from one day to the next. Untill I wrote this writing, I had not realized we only have 126 days to go. What does this amount to? Getting back to the underlying-and-quite-simple question stating on the tittle of this writing, we’d better to ask ourselves, “is Indonesia “Gold Medal Tradition” at stake?”

To answer this question, we got to take a closer look at our national sport achievement in the world. Regrettably, we have no many options to take a closer look at. The soft option remained is the sport called badminton. This sport indefatigably contributed gold medals for Indonesia from day one this country for the first time took part in the olympics games in 1992. With all due respect, I do not intend to look down on any other sports, on the first place. Nonetheless, something we can not deny, as yet, is that badminton contributes more, on the games, than any other sport could do. Regardless the poor news these days regarding to our badminton players’ achievement in many tournaments, still, we do stand a chance of achieving the gold medal this year. No matter how small the chance we are going to have, since what we got to do now is taking our chances and hope the result is in the way we wish, which is gold medal! Since as far as I know, you can bank on nothing in sport. Nothing is impossible, even though players’ skill does matter. Keep in mind, sport is not like math formula. It does not even follow any certainty, hence anything possibly can happen on the court.

For many years, Indonesia is best remembered as the country who gave birth to a lot of great badminton players, world class ones. Even Indonesia does make a breakthrough in many tournaments. In the first instance, Indonesia shows her sturdiness by making history through Rudy Hartono, the eight times All England men’s single winner, even seven times consecutively (1968-1974). Hartono handed the championship in 1968, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1976. His eye-watering achievement is pretty tough  to be challenged by any player in his generation and even till now. He was impossibly beaten at his triumph. Hartono is not the one and only skillful badminton player Indonesia has. A lot of names worth pausing to consider to be in line with Hartono, like Tan Joe Hok, Liem Swie King, Ardy Wiranata, Haryanto Arby, Ivana Lie, Susi Susanti, Christian Hadinata, Alan Budikusuma, Ade Chandra, Tjun Tjun, Johan Wahyudi, Kartono, Heryanto, Rudy Gunawan, Bambang Supriyanto, Rexy Mainaky, Ricky Subagja, Tony Gunawan, Chandra Wijaya, Halim Heryanto, Sigit Budiarto, Minarni Sudaryanto, Retno Kustijah, Verawati Fajrin, Minarti Timur, Imelda Wiguna, Mia Audina, Taufik Hidayat, Lilyana Natsir, Markis Kido, Hendra Setiawan, Nova Widyanto, and many others. These people handed a lot of championships from any international tournament, and these people without question deserve to be awarded as the national hero. Since on my opinion, the concept of hero has changed over to more sensible. You are surely not going to find the masked-man with a white horse protecting poor people from bad people like in a movie to be called as hero nowadays!

However, in fact, badminton was just officially recognized as one of the olympics sport in 1992, twenty years ago. In other words, a lot of great names above regrettably were not able to compete in olympics, since most of them were stunning during 70s and 80s. Both decades are then well-known as the golden era of Indonesian badminton in world history. It makes sense when a fact of life we got to face in olympics is not as bright as in all england or badminton world cup. Since 1992, our olympics contingent did not returned home in absolute triumph. We used to and are used to ‘steal’ only one or two gold medals in every olympics since 1992. Their names are as follows :

1992 (Barcelona Olympics)	Susi Susanti (women singles) Alan Budikusuma (men singles)
1996 (Atlanta Olympics)	Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja (Men Doubles)
2000 (Sidney Olympics)	Tony Gunawan and Chandra Wijaya (Men Doubles)
2004 (Athens Olympics)	Taufik Hidayat (Men Singles)
2008 (Beijing Olympics)	Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan (Men Doubles)

 

What is on my mind so far is ‘what is happening?’ I do not attempt to underestimate how hard the olympics is or how much pressure the athletes would have during the olympics, yet if it is all the matter of the competitiveness, I am pretty sure the All England and badminton world cup in 70s-80s must have the same level of difficulties and challenges. Remembering, both major tournaments are well-considered as a must for any player in order to be acknowledged as the ‘true’ winner in badminton world. The question remained is that how does Indonesian badminton decreased in numbers on the pretext of this olympics. The change in world competition, I am pretty sure,  should not make a big difference to the player.

However, before going too far on this olympics thingy, let me jog our memory by looking at our gold medalists’ heroic moment on their olympics.

1. Susi Susanti and Alan Budikusuma, The Bride of Olympics And The Birth of Gold Tradition

            This couple called the bride of olympics since both handed the gold medal in 1992, the year when they were still in a relationship. Susanti deserves to be called the queen of world badminton in the early 90s till 1994.  She was unbeatable during those years. Some tittles from all england and numerous superseries tittles had been remarkably grabbed by her in her triumph. She was the playmaker of the Uber Cup 1994 and 1996. More to the point, she is the reason why Ye Zhao Ying, chinese number 1 women single during 1994-1998, could never reach the highest podium in any olympics. Moreover, Susanti is the biggest obstacle Korea had in order to grabbed the Uber cup 1996, which ended up with Korea lost from Indonesia in semifinal. Keeping up korean history of having never handed the uber cup in badminton history. In the final round of women single in Barcelona Olympics, the game matched Susanti against Bang So Hyun, one of susanti’s biggest rival in 90s. After struggling tirelessly through rubber game, Susanti won the game and without question became the first women singles gold medalist in badminton history. Something we could proud of from Susanti. Four years later, uniquely, in Atlanta Olympics, Bang won over Susanti in semifinal, taking her revenge for her defeat in 1992. Budikusuma, meanwhile, had lesser pressure on the court since rarely-happened phenomenon named “all indonesian final” happened in Barcelona Olympics. Ardy B. Wiranata, another stunning Indonesian player, took the final spot and directly save Indonesia for gold medal in men singles. In Barcelona Olympics 1992, Indonesia medalled at other categories as well. Rudy Gunawan and Eddy Hartono win silver medal for men doubles, after they lost the game from korean-sweetheart men doubles, Kim Moon-soo and Park Joo-bong. Indonesia also gain more medal from men singles through Hermawan Susanto, another Indonesian legendary men single.

2. Rexy Mainaky-Ricky Subagja, Two Indonesian Dashing Gold Medalists, And The Rising Star of “Anak Ajaib”, Mia Audina

            1996 was the second year of badminton in summer olympics, and the olympics at that year took place in Atlanta, Georgia, The United States. Mainaky and Subagja ‘steal’ the spotlight and won the gold medal in men doubles category. Both handed the gold medal after battling in a tight match over the Malaysian legendary men doubles, Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock. Both men doubles show their best and it can be seen through the score in rubber game, 5-15, 15-13, and 15-12 for Mainaky-Subagja. Regardless I am not the ‘eyewitness’ of their triumph, yet I do believe the match is really burning-nationalism moment. Mainaky-Subagja was then recognized by the official olympics games website as the most successful men doubles badminton player in 90s. Meanwhile, both are in the domestic and international spotlight of their handsomeness.

            Indonesia also posed her srikandi in women singles through Susanti and Mia Audina. Regrettably, Susanti lost the game in semifinal. It, then, killed Indonesia’s hope to have ‘all indonesian final’ in women singles. Audina, the youngest women single who have ever been in Uber Cup team in age of 14, booked the final spot after winning over Kim Ji-Hyun, her korean rival in rubber game, 11-6, 9-11, and 11-1. The final round matched the Indonesian-korean rivalry between Mia Audina and Bang So-Hyun. Even though, Bang won over Audina handily on the court, it makes sense since Audina was just 16 at that time. This atlanta olympics highlighted the important point that it had been born the next-Susanti through Audina.

            Indonesia also gain more medals through another men doubles by the name of Antonius Ariantho and Denny Kantono. This indonesian men double semifinalist won over malaysia in bronze medal match, and at the same time became the last medal Indonesia had in Atlanta olympics. At the end of this olympics, Indonesia got 1 gold medal, 1 silver medal, and 2 bronze medals.

3. Tony Gunawan-Chandra Wijaya (The Indonesian Fabulous Duet), The Maintenance Of Gold Medal Tradition, and The Switched-On Nationality of Mia Audina

           

            Tony Gunawan-Chandra Wijaya advanced to the gold medalist in Sidney Olympics 2000. Gunawan-Wijaya handed the gold medal after battling in a tight rubber game, 15-10, 9-15, and 15-7, over the south-korean legendary men double, Lee Dong-Soo-Yoo Yong-Sun. Sadly, Gunawan now is representing The United States in many tournaments. This men double, who is considered to be the greatest men double in 21st century have ever born, grabbed a lot of tittles in many prestigious tournament, such All England 1999 and Indonesia Open 2000 and 2006. In this summer olympics, another Indonesian men single, Hendrawan, handed the silver medal for men singles after loosing from the gold medalist Ji Xinpeng from China. In mixed doubles, Indonesia got one more silver medal by the name of Tri Kusharyanto and Minarti Timur. Overall, Indonesia got 1 gold medal and 2 silver medals from badminton.

            One thing worth pausing to consider from this summer olympics is the nationality written in Audina’s shirt, Netherlands. Audina moved to netherlands months after her marriage with her netherlander husband. This oye-opener fact lies at the root of her decline in many tournaments since Atlanta Olympics in 1996. What is on my mind as yet is how could Indonesian goverment letting her to go. It is normal to have  ‘up and down’ achievement in sports, and Indonesian goverment really has no justification to justify her decision with Audina. In this writing, I would like to re-write what my uncle said toward this. He is a big fan of badminton, and one day when we were watching final round of Athens Olympics in 2004, which showed the rematch of Uber Cup 1994 third single final between Audina and Zhang Ning, he said,”When I listen to the news telling that she (read, Audina) moved to netherlands, I sometimes wonder what the world is coming to. She is the jewel we throw handily.”

4. Indonesian Sweetheart, Taufik Hidayat And The Rise of Indonesian-Netherland Srikandi, Mia Audina

           

            Athens Olympics 2004 actually is the moment when Indonesian badminton reported a decline in many tournaments since Sidney Olimpics 2000. Indonesian hero in Athens Olympics fell on Taufik Hidayat. He won over Shon Seung-mo, korean rising star, handily only in two set. A year after the olympics, in 2005, Hidayat handed the World Championship after winning over Chinese number one men single, Lin Dan. He was also best remembered as the six times Indonesia Open winner, namely in 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006. Indonesia also gain two more bronze medals by the name of Sony Dwi Kuncoro (men singles) and Flandy Limpele-Ang Hian (men doubles).

            One gripping point I consider most from this summer olympics is the rise of Audina in her olympics career. After being dumped by her ex-country, Indonesia, Audina was trying so hard to prove her point, that she was still able to be the champion in olympics. After defeating chinese star ,Gong Ruina, in semifinal round with absolute victory, Audina advanced to the final spot. In final round, the history repeats itself. The final round matched Audina and her biggest rival ever in history, Zhang Ning. At the same time, it jog our memory of the final match of Uber Cup 1994, which match both players ten years before the olympics. 14 year old Audina won over Zhang, who was older 10 years or more, at that time, and she (read, Audina) was then called “bocah ajaib” by Indonesian mass media because of her achievement in Uber Cup 1994. Regrettably, Audina could not make the same victory in Athens Olympics 2004. She played so well, yet she got to gave up on Zhang in rubber game. However, Audina did it. She makes her history. I personally called her “Einstein in Badminton Court”.

5. Beijing Olympics 2008 : The Most Unpredictable Olympics Ever Happened in Indonesian Badminton History

            Beijing Olympics 2008 would be the most unforgettable moment for Indonesia. In Beijing Olympics, Indonesia astonishingly could maintain the gold medal tradition through Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan. It is out of plan, since Indonesian badminton faced a great decline since Athens Olympics 2004. Kido-Setiawan unpedictably beat chinese number 1 mens double, Cai Yun-Fu Haifeng in a tight rubber game. Unfortunately, one of the best Indonesian mixed double Nova Widianto-Lilyana Natsir failed to hand the gold medal after loosing the final game from Lee Yong-dae-Lee Hyo-jung in final round.

            The second astounding moment is when Maria Kristin Yulianti could defeat a lot of great names in round of 64 until quarter finals round. She was almost not eligible to participate in Beijing Olympics since she did not make any better move in her career in that year. During the olympics, Yulianti had defeated several great names, such as Juliane Schenk, Tine Rasmussen, and Saina Nehwal. Regardless her defeat in semifinal round from Zhang Ning, Yulianti showed her best in bronze medal match and finally defeat another chinese star named Lu Lan. The moment I remember most is when I saw Lu Lan burst into tears at the end of the match and, of course,  big smile on Yulianti’s face! In the end, Indonesia got 1 gold medal, 1 silver medal, and 1 bronze medal from badminton in Beijing Olympics 2008.

            Now, we have less than 4 months before facing the London Olympics 2012. Along with other indonesian, I am still waiting for the winds of change in Pelatnas. Recently, a good news come from new-bounded mixed double, Tantowi Ahmad-Lilyana Natsir. It is reported they successfully hand the gold medal in both All England Superseries 2012 and Swedish Open  2012. It is good, yet it is not enough to guarantee Indonesia gold medal tradition could be maintained. Here is my prediction for London Olympics 2012 :

Category	Players and bwf rank (who potentially win the gold medal in my opinion)	The Chance For Indonesia
Men Singles	·         Lin Dan (2) (China) ·         Lee Cong Wei (1) (Malaysia) ·         Chen Long (3) (China)	0% Do not expect too much. Even if Simon Santoso (10) or Taufik Hidayat (11) could defeat one of them, bronze medal would be the most rational possibility.
Women Singles	·         Wang Yihan (1) (China) ·         Wang Xin (2) (China) ·         Wang Shixian (3) (China) ·         Saina Nehwal (5) (India)	0% Impossible. *waiting for the next susi susanti
Men Doubles	·         Chai Yun-Fu Haifeng (1) ·         Jung Jae Sung- Lee Yong dae (2) ·         Ko Sung Hyun-Yoo Yeon Seong (4)	20% Only if Bona-Ahsan could defeat one of them in the olympics.
Women Doubles	·         Wang Xiaoli-Yu Yang (1) ·         Tian Qing-Zhao Yun Lei (2) ·         Ha Jung Eun-Kim Min Jung (3)	5% Only if Greysia Polii-Meiliana Jauhari (8) could defeat one of them. If not, the chance would be 0%
Mixed Doubles	·         Zhang Nan- Zhao Yunlei (1) ·         Xu Cen-Ma Jin (2) ·         Tantowi Ahmad-Lilyana Natsir (3)	65% But, the chance could change. It depends on those three mixed doubles’ performance in recent world tournament.

So far, Indonesian Athletes who passed the qualification for London Olympics (untill March 23) are:

1. Tantowi Ahmad-Lilyana Natsir (3) mixed double;

2. Muhammad Rijal-Debby Susanto (13) mixed double.

3. Bona-Ahsan (6) men double;

4. Alvent Yulianto Chandra-Hendra Aprida Gunawan (11) men doubles*;

5. Markis Kido-Hendra Setiawan (12) men doubles*;

6. Greysia Polii-Meiliana Jauhari (8) women double;

7. Vita Marissa-Nadya Melati (13) women double;

8. Simon Santoso (10) men single;

9. Taufik Hidayat (11) men single;

*note :

The committee of London Olympics officially stated that one country could send two representatives, only if both players/teams are in the big 16 rank made by bwf. In this case, both yulianto-aprida and kido-setiawan are in the big 16 and the range of their rank is really close. So, in several world tournaments along these four months before the London Olympics 2012, the rank between them could suddenly change if one of them could hand at least one gold medal in superseries. So, at the end of these month, either yulianto-aprida or kido-setiawan could compete in London Olympics 2012.

            To be honest, London Olympics 2012 would the toughest olympics for Indonesia in badminton. Ahmad-Natsir is the most rational hope for gold medal in this olympics. However, their chance is still at stake. Their victory in All England Superseries 2012 and Swedish Open 2012 can not guarantee them success in London Olympics, remembering how unstable their performance is. For instance, they won the tittle of Singapore Open Superseries 2011 but a week later lost the final round in Indonesia Open Superseries 2011. This fact shows that their performance is not stable enough, and it amounts to we can not hold on them too much in this olympics. But at the end of the day, Ahmad Natsir and other Indonesian badminton palyers, who will be competing in London Olympics 2012 on July this year , must have an ambition to win. Well, ambition to win (almost always) works!

            Getting back to underlying question stating on the tittle of this writing, to be honest, yes, the tradition is at stake, our chance is not big. This fact must open up our eyes to see what is happening to our badminton. The winds of change must be created in Pelatnas and other badminton organizations in Indonesia. The issue of regeneration among athletes should be followed up by goverment. It is (of course) a big deal, yet late is better than never. We have no other option, we have to changed! Not only PSSI that need a revolution, but also Pelatnas and PBSI. We still have the chance, and we choose what to do. If not, gold medal in The Rio De Janeiro Olympics 2016 would be just a dream!