BIRMINGHAM, SUNDAY — Indonesian shuttlers Hendra Setiawan and Mohammad Ahsan deserve all the praise they get after winning gold in the men’s doubles at the YONEX All England Open Badminton Championships 2019 in Birmingham in the UK on Sunday (10/3/2019). The prestigious title continues the domination of Indonesian shuttlers in All England men’s doubles and marks a potential rebirth of the “Daddies” duo.
“The title is very meaningful, as we won it five years after our previous title [in 2014]. Furthermore, we won it in a prestigious tournament,” Ahsan told Kompas via text message from Birmingham.
Hendra-Ahsan clinched gold after defeating Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik 11-21, 21-14, 21-12 in the men’s doubles final at the Birmingham Arena on Sunday. Five years ago, at the same arena, they won Indonesia’s first men’s doubles gold since Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto’s victory in 2003.
Playing with his right calf bandaged, Hendra was unconvincing in the first game. He made a lot of mistakes in the 13-minute-long game.
Hendra had suffered an injury in the first game of his and Ahsan’s semifinal match against Japan’s Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda. Despite limping and having to withstand pain, he and Ahsan managed to defeat Kamura-Sonoda.
“Pain or no pain, the show must go on. We are already here, past the point of no return,” Hendra said before the final.
The spirit was combined with the pair’s skills in controlling the match’s tempo and slowing down their opponents’ game. Hendra and Ahsan emerged victorious. They were also praised for their composure in critical situations, something the Malaysian pair has yet to develop.
Entering the 48th minute, Ahsan’s smash scored the decisive match point. The Birmingham Arena was immediately overwhelmed by the thunderous cheers of Indonesians, who had shouted back and forth with Malaysian supporters throughout the game.
A fist in the air and a calm look is how Hendra expressed his relief after the victory. He is known for his calmness in any situation. Meanwhile, Ahsan prostrated himself on the court.
The victory brought back their glory from five years ago. At the time, both of them had just become fathers. Hendra had to leave his twins Richard and Richelle, who had just been born two weeks before he departed to Birmingham. Meanwhile, Ahsan’s daughter Chayra was only two months old. Now, Hendra is a father of three while Ahsan has two children.
This year’s title, which is equally important for them, has another meaning. It marks a rebirth for the pair, who chose to go the professional route earlier this year.
The pair said they made the decision to give younger players more resources to develop. However, due to their continued motivation and discipline, the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) requested them to keep on training at the Cipayung national training camp. National men’s doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi said they were role models for younger shuttlers.
After difficulties in getting sponsors, they finally obtained the official support of Japanese sports equipment maker Mizuno for two years. Hendra and Ahsan first paired up in 2012. After splitting up in 2017, they got back together in 2018 and restarted their journey by winning in low-level tournaments.
This year’s All England title is a good start for the pair on their way to the qualification for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. (IYA)
