Proof from the Idol

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Jonatan Christie

Indonesian men’s singles shuttler Jonatan “Jojo” Christie, 20, competed as an unseeded badminton player at the 2018 Asian Games. The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) also never targeted a gold medal in the men’s single. But Jojo emerged as a surprise winner. Jojo proved himself to the Indonesian public that previously underestimated him.

During the Asian Games final on Tuesday (28/8/2018) at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Sports Hall in Jakarta, Jojo defeated fourth seed Chou Tien Chen (Chinese Taipei) 21-18, 20-22, 21-15. Chou won a tight match against Indonesia’s Anthony Sinisuka Ginting 16-21, 23-21, 21-17 on Monday (27/8) before heading to the final.

Jojo took off his shirt and shouted up at the spectators to celebrate his victory. “Before the Asian Games, I was not confident. I tried, but I had not made it. Besides, the public often made negative comments. After winning the final, I was excited because I could prove [myself],” he said.

Jojo’s success in the Asian Games has ended the gold medal drought in men’s badminton singles over the past 12 years, with Taufik Hidayat winning the last gold at Doha 2006. Taufik also contributed a gold at Busan 2002. Other Indonesian singles shuttlers who have won a gold medal are Hariyanto Arbi (1994), Liem Swie King (1978), Ang Tjin Siang (1966) and Tan Joe Hok (1962).

Since badminton debuted at the 1962 Asian Games, only three countries have won gold medals in the men’s singles. China and Indonesia have won seven each, followed by Malaysia with Punch Gunalan’s one gold in 1970.

At the last two Asian Games in Guangzhou 2010 and Incheon 2014, none of Indonesia’s singles shuttlers reached the semifinals. China player Lin Dan claimed the gold medals at both Games.

Jojo said he never dreamed he would make history for Indonesia. “As we all know, many of the world’s greatest badminton players are from Asia and compete at the Asian Games. I never imagined [this]. This is a blessing from God on my life,” he said.

This is the first gold medal win for Jojo in the Asian Games. Jojo played for Indonesia in the men’s doubles at Incheon 2014. This time at the 2018 Asian Games, Jojo played in the men’s singles in front of the home crowd.

“The men’s singles was a surprise, sweeping the gold,” said Indonesia team manager Susy Susanti. Aside from Jonatan Christie, men’s doubles pair Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo also won a badminton gold.

Susy said the success was the result of the athletes’ hard work and dedication from preparing to competing at Asian Games.

Hard worker

In order to improve his play at the Asian Games, Jojo’s training was increased to 85 minutes. Jojo also jogged, lifted weights and swam. The schedule changed each week, depending on his training needs. “I liked swimming most, [but] not jogging. However, I also [jogged] since it is also good [training],” Jojo was quoted as saying on the PBSI website.

Jojo, who is known to be disciplined and a hard worker, followed his training program without complaining. “If the athletes complained, they knew the consequence. They would not be sent to the Asian Games,” said men’s singles coach Hendry Saputra Ho.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Jonatan Christie

Jojo said his biggest motivation to play at the Asian Games was to prove that Indonesia could perform well in the men’s badminton singles. “We men’s singles players were often look down upon. Once I and Anthony reached the semifinals, we wanted to prove that we could win a gold medal,” said Jojo, who is now an idol on and off the court.

But games sometimes do not go according to the plan. Anthony was defeated in the semifinals, which disappointed Jojo because they could not have an all-Indonesian final.

Anthony’s defeat in the semifinals drove Jojo to avenge his fellow shuttler, with whom he trained at Cipayung. Jojo took advantage of Chou’s seeming nervousness at playing in front of around 7,000 spectators, most of who supported Jojo.

Jojo’s win made his mother, Marlanti Djaja, elated and proud as she watched the finals at the GBK sports hall. After his victory, Marlanti embraced Jojo.

Self-discipline

Jojo has been playing badminton since 2005 with the full support of his father, Andreas Adi Siswa. The school he attended only offered basketball, soccer, taekwondo and badminton at extracurricular activities.

Before joining the PBSI national training camp at PBSI in 2013, Jojo was a member of the PB Tangkas badminton club. Jojo won the final at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, and reached the final at the Thailand Open and the Korea Open, both in 2017. In Korea, he lost to fellow Indonesian shuttler Anthony. Jojo was also a runner-up at the 2018 New Zealand Open. Jojo’s defeat triggered negative comments on social media.

However, Jojo made his name in the team and multisport competitions. Jojo won the gold medal at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur. During the Asian Team Championship in February in Alor Setar, Malaysia, an event known as a Thomas Cup qualifier, Jojo became the only undefeated Indonesian men’s singles player in six matches and helped Indonesia claim the Asian championship title.

Coach Hendry said Jojo was mentally strong.

Jojo said the Asian Games result drove him to aim for success in the individual event at the BWF World Tour. After that, Jojo will be tested at championships in China, Japan and Korea. Jojo is expected to develop further until the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Jonatan Christie

Born: Jakarta, Sept. 15, 1997

Achievements: Gold medal, men’s singles, Asian Games 2018 (Jakarta, Indonesia); Silver medal, BWF World Tour 2018 (Auckland, New Zealand); Silver medal, in men’s single at BWF World Tour 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand; Gold medal in men’s team at SEA Games 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Gold medal in men’s single at SEA Games 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia