Indonesia Thanks Butet

Indonesia’s mixed doubles player Liliyana “Butet” Natsir, who played with Tontowi “Owi” Ahmad, bids farewell to the audience at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium in Jakarta on Sunday (27/1/2019). The Indonesians conceded to the world’s No. 1 mixed doubles of pairZheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong from China with a score of 21-19, 19-21, 16-21. Despite not clinching a tournament title in her last performance, Butet was cheered up by the more than 7,000 people in the audience. Many had been there since the morning to attend the farewell ceremony for Butet.

The mixed doubles finals of this year’s Daihatsu Indonesia Masters saw the final performance of shuttler Liliyana Natsir, 33. The athlete, popularly known as Butet, is famed as one half of one of the most formidable forces in badminton’s mixed doubles worldwide.

Playing with Tontowi “Owi” Ahmad at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium in Jakarta on Sunday (27/1/2019), Butet admitted defeat against world number one mixed doubles pair, Chinese Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong 21-19, 19-21, 16-21. Despite not clinching a tournament title in her last performance, Butet was still cheered upon by the more than 7,000 people in the audience. Many had been there since morning to attend the farewell ceremony for Butet.

Butet could not hold back her tears in the ceremony that was specially prepared for her. She took deep breaths as she prepared to walk to the court and before she gave her speech.

“Today, on Sunday, January 27, I announce my retirement,” she said. Wiping away tears amid shouts of “I love you, Butet,” from the gallery, Butet thanked the government, the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), clubs, coaches, other Indonesian shuttlers and sponsors.

“Most importantly, I would like to thank my parents for supporting me no matter if I win or I lose. My mother took me to Jakarta when I was 12 and has stayed beside me until my retirement,” said Butet, who was presented with a bouquet of flowers and hugs and kisses from her parents, who came from Manado to attend the ceremony.

KOMPAS/RONY ARIYANTO NUGROHO

Indonesia’s mixed doubles player Liliyana “Butet” Natsir hugs her teammate, Tontowi “Owi” Ahmad, after her last match at the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2019 at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) main stadium in Jakarta on Sunday (27/1/2019). Butet bid farewell to the audience after losing to world No. 1 mixed doubles pair Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong from China with a score of 21-19, 19-21, 16-21.

As one of the world’s best shuttlers, Butet deserves all the praises she can get. Having won in 2005, 2007, 2013 and 2017, she is currently the mixed doubles player with the most world championship titles.

Butet also created history when she won the 2012 All England tournament with Owi. They became the first Indonesian mixed doubles pair to win the prestigious title after Christian Hadinata and Imelda Wigoeno 33 years before, or in 1979. The cream of the crop arrived with her gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

“I thank Butet for her achievements, which has significantly boosted the fame of Indonesia’s mixed doubles. Before her, mixed doubles was not a mainstay for gold for Indonesia,” said Christian, an Indonesian badminton legend.

Her rivals Zheng Siwei, Chen Qingchen and Goh Liu Ying also showered her with praises. “Butet gives everything up to her final performance,” Zheng said.

Commitment

Butet has not only enjoyed a long career. She was also consistently at the top levels of world championships.

The shuttler, known for her boyish looks, entered the national training camp (pelatnas) in 2002 and became a mixed doubles player in 2004. She first paired with Nova Widianto and then with Owi since 2010. She was consistently in the top 10 of world players.

In her 17 years as a national shuttler, she has defeated many of the world’s best mixed doubles pairs, most of them Chinese: Zhang Jun-Gao Ling, Zheng Bo-Gao Ling, Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei and Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong.

This is all thanks to Butet’s targets and motivation. She was always committed to her targets through disciplined training and lifestyle. She strictly maintained her eating and resting patterns, two important things for athletes to complement their training. She often increases her training hours.

Ahead of the Olympics, Butet added to her physical training by doing rope-skipping at five in the morning. “I had not idea that she did that. I do not find that level of commitment among our younger players,” said mixed doubles coach Richard Mainaky.

Women’s doubles athlete Greysia Polii shared Richard’s sentiment. “Both of us come from Manado and we went to the same elementary school. I have always seen how [Butet] chases for what she wants,” Greysia said.

Greysia said that when Butet was committed to clinching a championship title, she would be focused on attaining that goal. “After clinching the title, Cik Butet would aim to maintain that title. She just goes all-in whenever she wants something. This is what makes her who she is today,” Greysia said.

Men’s and mixed doubles physical trainer Felix Ary Bayu Martha has another story regarding Butet’s commitment. He said that Butet took a three-month leave from managing her business ahead of the Olympics so that she could really be focused on the world’s biggest sporting event.

For Christian, Butet’s love for badminton was what made her a world top player. “This spirit is important for athletes and it has never gone away inside Butet. She will do everything that she can without having to be forced,” he said.

Having had badminton trainings since she was nine, Butet has made many sacrifices in her journey as an athlete. When she first joined the Tangkas Jakarta club at the age of 12 in 1997 -- after joining the Pisok Manado club before that --, the younger of two siblings spent her days crying. When she was too embarrassed to cry in front of her seniors, she cried in the bathroom when others were still sleeping. However, her dream of becoming a professional athlete helped her soldier on, despite living far away from her parents.

The opportunity to join the pelatnas came in 2002. After having difficulties in entering international competitions in women’s doubles, Butet saw better opportunities in mixed doubles. Richard saw her talents.

Only two months after she was paired with Nova, the shuttling team won against Olympic gold medalists Zhang Jun-Gao Ling in the China Masters in November 2004. In the same month, Nova and Butet clinched the Singaporean Open title.

During her time with Nova, Butet also won in women’s doubles in the 2007 China Masters and the 2008 Indonesia Open with Vita Marissa. Vita was Butet’s senior, women\'s doubles partner and best friend.

Butet saw a new challenge when she was paired with Owi, who had no prior achievements, in 2010. She then proved her doubters wrong by winning world championships, the All England and the Olympics with Owi.

After 52 international titles, Butet said that she was tired. She did not want to force herself to continue in badminton without any clear goal. With that in mind, she chose business as her future career. Butet also wishes to spend more time with her family.

“Whenever I went home to Manado when I was an athlete, I could never take it when my mother asked me, ‘It’s already time for you to go back to Jakarta, isn’t it?’ Now, I can be more relaxed and spend more time with them,” she said.

However, she did not deny that she would certainly miss her badminton days. “I will never be able to forget badminton completely. It has helped me contribute to my nation and my country,” she said.

For all her hard work, Indonesia thanks Butet. (YULIA SAPTHIANI/DENTY PIAWAI NASTITIE)