After Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon were defeated in the quarterfinal of the world badminton championship in China, in early August, Marcus’s wife Agnes Amelinda Mulyadi, said on Instagram that she had witnessed Marcus’ dedication and hard work.
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Success in the career of athletes is not just dependent on their capabilities or coaches. Their family members and friends, as those closest to them, also play a huge role.
After Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon were defeated in the quarterfinal of the world badminton championship in Nanjing, China, in early August, Marcus’s wife Agnes Amelinda Mulyadi, said on Instagram that she had witnessed Marcus’ dedication and hard work.
Agnes, who married Marcus in April, has a major role in his life. She said Marcus usually woke up around 5 a.m. every day to bike before his training session at Cipayung training center. Marcus is strict with his diet. That is why she understands Marcus’ disappointment when he failed to win the championship.
Agnes also understands that Marcus’ job keeps him on the road. Marcus has competed in eight championships since January.
“When my schedule is tight, I’m rarely at home. I have to go again even though I just arrived home. My wife understands because it is my job,” Marcus said.
However, to stay near his wife, Marcus lives in Cibubur, which is not far from the Cipayung training center. The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) allows athletes who are married to live outside the boarding house. Every day, Marcus leaves his house between 5:50 and 6:30 a.m. With a break between training in the morning and in the afternoon on every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Marcus spends his free time at the boarding house and returns home at around 6 p.m.
Since the end of June, Marcus has been doing additional exercises at home to lower his weight. Kurniahu, Marcus’s father, a former badminton player, said his son is used to the additional exercises. After Marcus won All England 2017, his son would exercise in the badminton court at his house on the weekends.
The family of women’s double athlete Greysia Polii also fully understands her profession. When she competes for big championships, they let Greysia focus on training. However, amid her tight schedule, Greysia always takes time to go home on the weekends to see her mother.
“Usually, I enjoy meals with my mother. If I have other activities, my mom usually comes with me. We are happy to be together,” she said.
Ahead of the Asian Games, her family has no other commitments. “When we are together and chat, they express their big expectation for me to win. I respond calmly so that it will not be a burden,” she said.
For woman lifter Sri Wahyuni, the closest person to her is her coach. The Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympics silver medalist usually keeps mental pressure at bay before any competition by playing music and singing with her coach.
“The songs are varied and we usually sing uplifting songs such as ‘Bendera’ [flag] by the group Cokelat,” said her coach Supeni.
Supeni said Sri Wahyuni’s emotions were usually all over the place two weeks before a competition, therefore motivating her and doing activities that took the pressure off such as eating out and sightseeing would often help.
Sri Wahyuni said she enjoyed listening to music to provide calm before any competition. “When I feel sleepy, I go to the bedroom and sleep,” she said. The next morning, before the competition, Sri Wahyuni contacts her parents to ask for their blessings.
Meanwhile Masitoh, the wife of veteran lifter Eko Yuli Irawan gives support by sending messages or making phone calls to Eko, who is working out to reduce his bodyweight. “Usually, I ask Mas Eko if he feels OK after losing weight. I get concerned about his health,” Masitoh said.
Eko said the support of his wife and children boosted his spirits before and during a competition. “When I am in a competition, I have no time to observe the spectators. But, when I successfully lift the barbell, I feel so happy to get support, especially from my family,” Eko said.
Competing at the Asian Games is challenging for young athletes. Woman sprinter Jeany Nuraini Amelia Agreta, 17, who will compete in the 4x100 meter relay, for example, tries to shake off the nervousness by getting support from her family. His father often tells her to focus on exercising and eating nutritional foods. “After exercising, usually my grandmother cooks broccoli. I do not like vegetables actually. But I eat them because my grandmother cook for me,” she said.
Meanwhile her mother has a special strategy to help her only child perform maximally. “My mom says, later after the race and you win, we will go on vacation,” she said.
Parental support is also meaningful for swimmer Triady Fauzi Sidiq, 26. Triady always remembers the words of his parents. “They tell me to not think about burdens during the race. I must not think about the target but perform maximally,” Triady said.
Support from those close to them is important for athletes.