Hendra Setiawan-Mohammad Ahsan, the badminton world champions in the men’s doubles in 2019, should be seen as a benchmark by other athletes.
Hendra and Ahsan are a professional duo, as proven by them being among the world’s elite class of shuttlers despite Hendra being 35 and Ahsan 32. Not many athletes can stay at the top of the game at their age.
As reported by Kompas on Tuesday (27/8/2019), their motivation, hard work and discipline amid their other roles as husband and father have helped them achieve success. Their dedication to their beloved field and their modesty has made other players idolize them.
Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) national training camp mixed doubles coach Richard Mainaky praised them, saying, “Many players today only practice when their coach is watching. It is rare to see players practice on their own. Discipline is also lacking.”
“Richard said that Hendra-Ahsan’s achievement should be noted by other Indonesian athletes, especially as the nation is preparing for the prestigious international event of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Indonesian sport stars must display their prowess at Tokyo 2020.
So far, only three sports have won medals for Indonesia in the Olympics, namely archery, weightlifting and badminton. Badminton’s achievement is special as Indonesian shuttlers have consistently won gold since the sport was first included in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics up to Rio 2016. Only once did we not win any medals in the sport, namely London 2012.
Therefore, our national badminton team has the duty of maintaining this golden tradition. Our stock of gold medalists? Surely, the world’s No. 1 men’s doubles pair Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo and world No. 2 pair Hendra-Ahsan are where we put our biggest hopes in winning the gold.
Our strengths in the other categories are less. As of Wednesday (28/8) we only have representatives in men’s singles and women’s doubles among the world’s Top 5. We have Jonathan Christie, No. 4 in men’s singles, and Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu, No. 5 in women’s doubles.
Richard’s words that many players today rarely practice on their own should serve as a stern warning for our athletes. Athletes should practice on their own, not continuously be trained. Practicing means doing so independently, without having to rely on coaches’ directions. This was what our legendary shuttlers did. On the other hand, “being trained” means that athletes only practice when their coaches are around.
Hendra-Ahsan are the perfect exemplars for professional athletes with achievements. Hendra has a chance to go to Tokyo 2020 if he maintains his current performance. If Hendra clinches the gold in the men’s doubles, it will be his second Olympic gold after the one he won with Markis Kido in Beijing 2008. Make Hendra an exemplar, for the sake of success.