Spirit of Togetherness behind Indonesia’s First Gold

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI (RAD) 06-10-2018

Freddy Setiawan made the biggest contribution to the team’s journey for gold. He competed in the men’s single SL4 (lower limb impairment) category in the day’s first match in men’s badminton.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Shouts and cries of joy filled the air at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium on Sunday (7/10/2018), as Indonesia won its first 2018 Asian Para Games gold. In men’s team badminton, the shuttlers’ journey and struggle together, starting from the national training camp (Pelatnas) in Surakarta, Central Java, and lasting through to the matches at the GBK Stadium, finally bore fruit.

On Sunday, 19-year-old Dheva Anrimusti, who competed in the SU5 category (upper limb impairment), won in the deciding match against Malaysian Mohammad Faris 21-6, 21-12. Dheva’s victory led to Indonesia winning 2-1 against Malaysia in the finals.

Immediately, other team members Fredy Setiawan, 26; Hafiz Briliansyah, 28; Hary Susanto, 42; Ukun Rukaendi, 48; and Suryo Nugroho, 23, ran onto the court and hugged Dheva. They jumped in joy while shouting, “Who are we? Indonesia… Indonesia…”

Amid the celebratory yells of hundreds of spectators, the shuttlers waved toward the gallery. The six gold medalists bowed in front of the audience, including Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi and Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) chair Majid Rashed, who were present at the game.

The joy gave way to tears during the medal ceremony, where spectators watched silently as the Indonesian national flag was hoisted and the anthem “Indonesia Raya” (Great Indonesia) blared through the speakers. Dheva and Fredy were seen wiping away their tears several times. “In a situation like this, I cannot hear the national anthem without crying. My heart just soars with pride, for having given my best for my country,” Fredy said.

Fredy made the biggest contribution to the team’s journey for gold. He competed in the men’s single SL4 (lower limb impairment) category in the day’s first match in men’s badminton. Since the quarter finals, the Surakarta-based athlete has always scored the first point for Indonesia. “My match was the first and people pinned their hopes on me to improve my teammates’ morale. This was my motivation. My win would pave the path for my friends,” he explained.

Hary, despite his age, also showed extraordinary fighting spirit. The tight schedule of the semifinals and finals forced him to gain the upper hand over his fatigue. The semifinal match was at 9 a.m. and the final one at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Hary, who suffered a hip fracture in 1997, fell down while trying to reach the shuttlecock. Later during his game, he was visibly limping around the court in fatigue.

The team’s two substitute players, Suryo and Ukun, had no less important roles. Despite not playing at all during the day, they served as vital sources of positive energy for their friends who did play. Both cheered endlessly from outside the field, saying that was their part in the team’s spirit of togetherness.

Indonesia’s para badminton head coach Imam Kunantoro said the collective struggle of the men’s badminton team had made him proud.

Their team spirit had been visible during the 10 months of training in Surakarta. They practiced together, shared insight and knowledge with one another and motivated one another. “They are like a family. They are always there for each other. They even go on vacation together. This togetherness is our strength at the Asian Para Games,” Imam said.

For the country

Indonesia’s gold in men’s team badminton made the country number six in the medal ranking, with one medal each of gold, silver and bronze. The silver was won by Ni Nengah Widiasih in the 41-kilogram para powerlifting, while the bronze was won by swimmer Syuci Indriani in 200-meter freestyle in the S14 category (intellectual impairment).

Indonesian chef de mission Arminsyah said the gold in men’s team badminton was won for Indonesia. It was a victory for all Indonesians – not only for disabled people. “We hope this is the beginning of more golds in 18 sports at the Asian Para Games,” said the deputy attorney general.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and the Youth and Sports Ministry have pledged to give para athletes the same bonuses as Asian Games athletes. Gold medalists will get Rp 1.5 billion (US$98,737), silver medalists 500 million and bronze medalists will get RP 250 million.

Suryo said he would donate part of his bonus for disaster aid efforts in Palu and Donggala, which were recently struck by earthquakes and a tsunami. “I believe that our victories are not our own. They are also the result of people’s prayers, including people in Palu. Those prayers mean so much to us. My donation will mean nothing compared to the prayers,” said that athlete, who’s left arm was amputated after a motorbike accident.

Fredy said he would donate his winning bonus for the construction of a church in Sumba. That was his way to express gratitude for all of his life blessings, he said. “I have received lots of help. Now, I want to help people in Sumba, who wish to pray. Churches are so rare there,” Fredy said.