Everyone Has Notes from the Thomas-Uber Cup
There are many records for Indonesia after the Thomas and Uber Cups. It became PR for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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The Indonesian Uber Cup team posed after the Uber Cup final match at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium in China on Sunday (5/5/2024). China once again became the champion of the 2024 Uber Cup after defeating Indonesia, 3-0, in the final round.
The simultaneous final of the Indonesian badminton team at the Thomas and Uber Cup in Chengdu, China, in 2024 will occur for the first time since 1998. What happened in Chengdu created a record for athletes, coaches and support teams for the ultimate target, a gold medal Paris 2024 Olympics.
One of the moments that received the most attention, including by the international badminton community, was the performance of the "Red and White" women's team. Their progress to the final, even to the semifinals, has become major news on the official website of the Badminton World Federation (BWF). Media in China, through social media accounts, also displayed uploads of the success of Gregoria Mariska Tunjung and friends.
Two commentators for the BWF who are always detailed in discussing each match, Steen Pedersen and Gillian Clark, also praised the Indonesian female players. Pedersen described the performance of the Indonesian women's team as one of the three best moments at the 2024 Thomas and Uber Cup.
Clark discussed players who he thought performed extraordinary, such as Gregoria and Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo. Ester, who is 19 years old, is considered to have good technical abilities. Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi was also in the spotlight when Indonesia won the fifth match against South Korea in the semifinals. The 3-2 victory eliminated the defending champion team.
Indonesia's sole daughter, Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, defeated representative from Thailand, Supanida Katethong, 19-21, 21-10, 21-19, in the third match of the quarter-finals of the 2024 Uber Cup at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium, Chengdu, China, on Friday (3/5/2024).
"What the Indonesian women's team achieved is thanks to their good teamwork," said Clark, the semifinalist of the 1983 World Championships in women's doubles and the 1993 World Championships in mixed doubles.
For the championship results that took place on April 27 - May 5, it cannot be denied that China emerged as the country with the most balanced strength in men's and women's singles as well as men's and women's doubles played in the Thomas-Uber Cup. China also has three mixed doubles in the top 10 in the world, two of which are in the top and second rankings.
After winning the competition against Indonesia in the men's final (China won 3-1) and women's final (China won 3-0), the "Bamboo Curtain" country has won the Thomas Cup 11 times and the Uber Cup 16 times. Out of these titles, the Thomas and Uber Cup teams have won eight times in the same edition.
For Indonesia, the main measure of success in this team world championship is the performance of the athletes on the field. This is especially true for female players who are mostly below the level of players from China, Japan, and South Korea.
Also read: Indonesia Cancels Match between Thomas and Uber Cup Champions
Jonatan Christie faced off against Saran Jamsri (Thailand) in the Group C preliminary of the Thomas Cup at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium, Chengdu, China on Monday (9/42024). Jonatan won with a score of 21-16 13-21 21-12.
In team championships, when performance/skills are below the opponent's, the key is the level of their fight for the team. This has been demonstrated well by female players and recognized by former athletes, such as Greysia Polii, Susy Susanti, and Yuni Kartika.
Even so, Yuni assesses the achievements in Chengdu are not just about the Uber Cup. This is a turning point for Indonesian women's singles, a category that has always been looked down upon after the era of Susy and Yuni.
"Team tournaments like the Uber Cup can be a stepping stone. Some players actually gain momentum in a team setting. This indicates that the quality of women's singles is improving," Yuni said.
Yuni, in particular, refers to Ester and Komang who played more than once. Ester played six times and Komang played four times. Both of them only lost once.
Also read: Thomas Indonesia Vs China Final: Bagas/Fikri Defeated, Indonesia's Hopes of Champion Run Away
I learned a lot from this Uber Cup and after this I want to get better and better.
The expression of Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi while battling against Liang Ka Wing (Hong Kong) in a Group C preliminary match of the Uber Cup at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Centre Gymnasium, Chengdu, China, on Saturday (4/27/2024). Komang won with a score of 21-16, 21-17.
Ester played more because she was positioned as the second singles player who appeared in the third or first match when she was promoted. Meanwhile, Komang (third singles player) played in the fifth match. The match may not be played if one team wins three matches from the quarterfinals to the final.
Provisions for Paris
For Gregoria, the Uber Cup final could be a booster for the 2024 Paris Olympics, July 26-August 11. This is the second chance for women's singles ranked ninth in the world at the Olympics after Tokyo 2020. In Tokyo, she was stopped by Ratchanok Intanon in the round of 16 after qualifying from the group stage.
Since then, Gregoria has grown rapidly, especially in her way of thinking. She learned to see challenges as motivation so as not to just become a theory.
However, as he said in an interview at the mixed zone in Chengdu, sometimes good performance cannot be shown every day as desired. Usually, the causal factors are invisible factors from within oneself, such as changes in mood and mental strength.
Also read: Praise for the Indonesian Uber Cup Team
Indonesian badminton women's singles player Gregoria Mariska Tunjung returned the shuttlecock to 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.
During her match against Chen Yu Fei in the final, for instance, she shared her expectation to perform well just like in her previous games. While competing, that desire dominated her mind and ultimately backfired, preventing her from playing without pressure like when she defeated Akane Yamaguchi (Japan) and Intanon (Thailand).
This is a note for Gregoria for Paris 2024 as competing in the Olympics is a mental competition. Former men's doubles player and one of the mentors for Paris 2024, Candra Wijaya, stated that there are many good players, but not all of them can handle the pressure at the Olympics.
Susy, from her experience competing in Barcelona 1992, mentioned that the competitive air could be felt since entering the athlete's village. Especially since they are surrounded by top athletes from various countries in other sports.
Approaching Tokyo 2020 and finally winning the gold medal in women's doubles, Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu emphasized the preparation of mental training with the help of experts in the field, such as motivators. When arriving in Tokyo with positive thoughts in mind, Greysia/Apriyani can showcase their best abilities in every match.
Gregoria already has the ability to turn negative thought patterns into positive ones, and that has also allowed her to play at her best. Outside the field, her attitude has also changed. The 24-year-old girl who used to be shy when asked by journalists can now speak fluently, even with words and meanings that are "deep."
Also read: History of the Thomas Cup and Indonesia's Achievement Records
Indonesian solo badminton player Jonatan Christie celebrated after winning against Taiwanese badminton player Wang Tzu Wei in the semifinals of the 2024 Thomas Cup at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, China on Saturday, May 4th, 2024. Jonatan won 21-11, 21-16.
Jonatan Christie also has provisions like Gregoria. He is unbeaten in 16 consecutive matches at the All England, Asian Championships and Thomas Cup since March. This moment occurred after Jonathan was eliminated three times in the first round and once in the second round in the first four tournaments in 2024.
Apart from technical factors (Jonatan brought a more attacking game), his mental strength appears to be tougher. In the Thomas Cup final, he won after Indonesia fell behind 0-2. The usually calm figure became more expressive, and this factor is often needed when competing.
Based on their performance in Chengdu, the other players who qualified for Paris 2024 have more work to do. Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto struggled against certain players, namely China's Shi Yu Qi and Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang.
As players who have a lot of experience and often meet the same players in the BWF World Tour, Anthony and Fajar/Rian must immediately complete this task. Moreover, Anthony has special shots that often deceive opponents, but he still has weaknesses in terms of consistency. Anthony can play very well, but also makes many mistakes at other moments.
Also read: Two "Red and White" Teams in the Final, Chance to Match Thomas and Uber Titles
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting hit the shuttlecock while against Shi Yu Qi (China) in the opening match of the Thomas Cup final at the Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, China on Sunday (5/5/2024). Anthony lost with a score of 21-17, 21-6.
Note about Apriyani/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti is still related to Apriyani's right leg injury. This has prevented them from appearing as a duet in their actual performance. In Chengdu, Apriyani had to be sidelined twice while Fadia played, one of which happened in the final.
If her foot condition continues to improve approaching the Olympics, Apriyani still has to overcome the trauma that has been her obstacle throughout this year. She certainly does not want to miss the opportunity to compete in the Olympics for the second time in a row, even the chance to regain a medal with a different partner.
Apriyani/Fadia are ranked ninth in the world, and they have even been better than that and can defeat players ranked above them. This means that the duo playing in BWF tournaments since mid-2022 has high potential for Paris 2024.
When the seniors have records to be improved for the Olympics, the Thomas Uber Cup 2024 should be a moment for other players to elevate their level from what they have ever achieved. This must be supported by long-term programs and targets from coaches and the Indonesia Badminton Association (PBSI) for them.
Also read: Waiting for the Blessings of the "Underdog" Uber Indonesia Team in the Top Party
Daniel Marthin (right) and Leo Rolly Carnando (left) returned the shuttlecock to Thailand's doubles badminton team, Sirawit Sothon and Natthapat Trinkajee, in the 2024 Thomas Cup held at Chengdu Hi Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium, Chengdu, China, on Monday (29/4/2024).
The men's double sector, for example, has the task of restoring Indonesia's great name after the era of Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan. The current main national team squad, such as Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Bagas Maulana and Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Marthin, still struggle to be consistent when facing world-class men's doubles.
Equal attention should be given to raising the level of young players under the age of 20, such as Ester, Rachel Alessya Rose/Meilysa Trias Puspitasari, and Alwi Farhan. Moreover, transitioning from the junior level to a higher level of competition poses significant challenges. Many players shine during their junior years, only to fade away when entering a higher level of competition.
Ester, a semifinalist in the 2022 Junior World Championships and the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games, as well as the champion of the 2023 Indonesia Masters Super 100, has set her target firmly. "I have learned a lot from the Uber Cup and after this, I want to become even better," she said.
