Mission to Break China's Domination

Defeat to China in the 2024 Thomas and Uber Cup final shows that our strength is less competitive.

ANTARA/GALIH PRADIPTA

Indonesian men's singles badminton player, Jonatan Christie, fell while trying to return the shuttlecock towards his opponent, Taiwanese badminton player Wang Tzu Wei, in the 2024 Thomas Cup semi-finals at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, China on Saturday (4/5/2024). Jonatan won 21-11, 21-16 and secured Indonesia's Thomas Cup team's spot in the final after defeating Taiwan with a score of 3-0.

Despite jointly qualifying for the finals of the Thomas Cup and Uber for the first time since 1998, Indonesia must recognize China's superiority in the 2024 final. Of the seven matches that took place in the men's and women's finals between the two countries, Indonesia only won one of them.

In the top match at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, China, Sunday (5/5/2024), the Chinese men's team was entitled to the symbol of supremacy in the men's team world championship, the Thomas Cup, after beating Indonesia, 3-1. The Uber Cup was won by the hosts after winning 3-0.

Even though the Indonesian men's and women's teams both achieved runner-up positions in Chengdu, the results had different meanings for the two teams. The final by the Uber team was the first since this position was last occupied in 2008 (Kompas.id, 5/5/2024).

Also read: Indonesia Cancels Match between Thomas and Uber Cup Champions

AP/NG HAN GUAN

The Indonesian Thomas Cup team appeared together after the final match between Indonesia and China at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium, China, on Sunday (5/5/2024). China won the 2024 Thomas Cup after defeating Indonesia, 3-1.

Also read: Thomas Indonesia Vs China Final: Jonathan Saves the Face of the Indonesian Team

Indonesia still holds the title for the most Thomas Cup championships with 14 wins. China is in second place with 11 championships, followed by Malaysia who has won the trophy five times, followed by Denmark, Japan, and India each winning one championship.

Interestingly, in the last six Thomas Cup tournaments, the champion team has often changed. Japan became the champion in 2014, followed by Denmark in 2016. China regained the top spot in 2018, which was then replaced by Indonesia in 2020. India took the championship title from Indonesia in 2022 and then China regained the top spot again this year in Chengdu.

Observing this phenomenon, a number of China's competitors in the Thomas Cup, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, as well as Denmark, Japan, and India, were able to match and even eliminate them. Indonesia defeated China 3-0 in the 2020 final. The "Middle Kingdom" team even failed to reach the semifinals in 2016 (when Denmark won) and 2022 when India became champion.

Also read: Praise for the Indonesian Uber Cup Team

ANTARA/GALIH PRADIPTA

Indonesian badminton player, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, is preparing to face South Korean badminton player, Sim Yu-jin, in the semifinals of the 2024 Uber Cup at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium in Chengdu, China on Saturday (4/5/2024). Gregoria won 21-15, 21-13, and the Indonesian team is temporarily leading 1-0 against South Korea.

Also read: Waiting for the Blessings of the "Underdog" Uber Indonesia Team in the Top Party

However, China seems to want to re-establish its dominance, as they have won the Thomas Cup five times in a row, namely in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012.

This is a big challenge for China's inconsistent competing team. Denmark, Japan, and India were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Indonesia, China's challenger in the recent finals who were enthusiastic with two championship titles from the All England, namely in men's singles and doubles, only managed to secure one point out of four matches. China dominates the Uber Cup, collecting 16 championship titles, followed by Japan (six), Indonesia and the United States (three), and South Korea with two championship titles.

The winning of the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup titles by China confirms how tough China is compared to its competing nations. Indonesia, which always has a mission to shake China's dominance, must exert all efforts to realize that ambition. From now on, until the mission is accomplished, and beyond.