Will Liliyana Natsir Fight Back for Her First Asian Games Gold Medal in 2018?

Last night, on 29^th September 2014. Mixed Doubles pair Liliyana Natsir and Tantowi Ahmad again fail to get their first gold in the prestigious event Asian Games 2014 after their failure in last Asian Games 2010.

They lost to the first Seed of Mix Doubles, Zhang Nan and Zhao Yun Lei. Really unfortunately, in the beginning of the first game Owi / Butet, nickname of Tantowi Ahmad / Liliyana Natsir, lead the acquisitions of points 11-5. But after the break and while the points in 13-7, Owi / Butet loss of concentration. This situation utilized well by Zhan Nan/Zhao Yun Lei by continued to gain points until conditions turned to 15-13 for their excellence. Owi / Butet keep doing unforced error and make them have to take off the first game with 16-21.

This condition continued to the second game, especially after the 11 break points. Owi / Butet keep doing unforced error and Zhan Nan/Zhao Yun Lei become much more confidence. It seems like both Owi and Butet become really, really nervous in the critical points. Their hands look shaking. They’re under pressure.

With unfavorable conditions, prolonged pressure, they lose their way and with disappointment they should let go the Asian Games gold medal again with 16-21 14-21.

The disappointing thing is not because Indonesia can’t add one more gold medal, but for me it’s more about Liliyana Natsir (Butet)’s career.

As the history written that Butet have never had a gold medal in the Asian games event and now she’s already 29 years old. One question that keep flowing in my mind is “Is she still going to participate in the next Asian games?”. I don’t even want to think about it.

She’s one of the best female Badminton players of Indonesia. She’s the first female player to win three BWF World Championships in the mixed doubles. She also made hat trick in All England with Owi. She was born with the natural talent of a Badminton athlete.

But, like a Queen without a crown. She never got a gold medal for both of the most prestigious event, Asian games and Olympic. I don’t know why. She’s like always unlucky when the time is come. Moreover, both events are 4 years event. In need long time to fight back in the event.

Hah, I don’t know. I just can pray for her. In the next Olympic event in 2016, I hope she’s not too old to join this event again. Because, I have a hunch about her retirement. It’s really sad to think about it. Imagining your idol will not fight on the field FOREVER, it’s ……………….

 I only have one hope for her, SHE SHOULD WIN THE NEXT OLYMPIC’s GOLD MEDAL!! SHE SOULD JOIN THE NEXT OLYMPIC!! THE QUEEN SHOULD GET HER CROWN!!

Nothing is impossible; at least she must reach her dream of reaching the glorious Olympic Medal before retired. And I’ll life peacefully, so do her.

PERFECT REVENGE from SUPER DADDIES, HENDRA SETIAWAN & MOHAMMAD AHSAN

2014 is such a drama for two pairs of Men Double, Hendra/Ahsan and YongDae/YeonSeong.

Those TOP players should meet in final stage of two prestigious event, Indonesia Open Super Series 2014 and Asian Games Incheon 2014.

On Indonesia Open 2014 in last June, the Final match met both of pairs. It’s a must for Hendra/Ahsan to get the title because they’re the only Indonesian players who come to final, moreover they're the defending champion.

But ironic, either because the pressure of the target where they should get this title, or because of the condition of the body that doesn’t fit. They must lose in two straight sets 21-17 21-15 and upset their supporters at Istora Senayan, Jakarta.

The next match that brings them to the Final coincidentally held in Korea, YongDae and YeonSeong’s country. It’s Asian Games Incheon 2014.

But, issues of the “Demon wind” from Air Conditioner in venue make me worry. As the last man standing of Japan, Kenichi Tago in the last match of Men Group said that the wind direction should change as players swap positions, but even after changing position, the wind keep blows hard. Some athletes say the same thing. The wind gusts were allegedly changed on purpose to help the South Korean team. But I don’t want to think negatively. Hopefully everything is just a coincidence.

So, on 28^th September 19:00 KST finally the final match start. Since the first serve, the game was nerve wracking. Their point’s distances are always less than 3 points. But, with attacking strategy, Hendra/Ahsan securing the first set with 21-16. In the second game, the acquisitions of points are equally tight. But, YongDae/YeonSeong took the second set and force to rubber with the same points with the first game 21-16.

On the third game, LYD/YYS keep leading the score. Just in some times, Hendra/Ahsan lead by 1 point. The situation becomes tense in 17-17 points. But, at that time LYD/YYS did some errors that make their points stuck in 17 until Hendra / Ahsan get their first match point and directly get the next 1 point that bring them to be the Gold medalist in Asian Games 2014.

I’m sooooooo Happy!!! When the match on going, I keep praying and said “Make them win please, they must avenge the defeat in Indonesian Open in front of his own people!!”, I’m so bad. xD

But, that’s happen. Although during the game I was breathing hard and almost made ​​my heart fall out, but I'm super-duper HAPPY!!! This is what kind of match that I want, struggle in gain each point, tight acquisition of points, but win at the end.

Moreover, they had just become a father. And Ahsan has just recovered from dengue fever which made ​​him unable to participate in WBC 2014. I call them “Super Daddies”, they’re handsome, talented, great father.

Revenge already paid off, Mission Accomplished!! Congrats SUPER DADDIES!!

Finally, I met my Idol Liliyana Natsir

Ya~ as I mention in the previous post. I love Badminton, and I adore Liliyana Natsir since I was Junior High School.. Everytime I watch Badminton matches on TV, everyone disappear...
But, since I don't live in Indonesian's Capital City, Jakarta. It seems like impossible for me to watch Liliyana Natsir or I usually call her "Butet" live or meet her as the real human(?).
When I was kid, even until I'm a University student, it's hard for me to go to Jakarta and watch Badminton in there since Badminton matches usually held in Istora Senayan, Jakarta. Moreover, my parents and my siblings aren't fans of Badminton. Even my Father that sometimes like to watch Badminton matches with me on TV. But he's not a fan. Especially I'm the youngest in Family. Do you think is it possible for my parents letting me go by myself to the big city? No...

What can I do? Watch and watch in front of the screen.

But, one day. When I was in my 5th semester as a University student. I heard a Fantastic, Fabulous, Bombastic, Crazy News. Guess what???

Palembang, the city where live now will held a Badminton tournament, Indonesia Grand Prix Gold 2012. Even it's not as big as Indonesia Open. But, at least I have a hope to watch International Badminton matches LIVE!! But, I'm not sure Butet will join this tournament because of her world ranking already on TOP 5.

Day by day, I was looking for friends to watch Badminton together because none of my classmate are fanatic in Badminton. :')
But, at the end. I know one friend even she's in different class with me, but we're pretty close and the most important thing is.. she's a fanatic of Badminton just like me!!! Yeay!!! Moreover she's in a community of Badminton Lover soooooo I have a bunch of friends to watch Badminton!!! Finally!! \(^O^)/

Okay, to the point of the moment I met my idol. :P

So, one day. Before she has her first match in Indonesia GPG 2012. Me and my friends have a meet and greet with two Badminton players Muhammad Ahsan and Fran Kurniawan. That's great!! Because we can have a chat with them closely. After that small event, me and 3 of my other friends went to the hotel where the athletes stayed. But we don't even know whom athletes that stay there. Great.. -_______-"

Right away after we arrives in the Hotel, we directly go to the lobby because we don't have a clue what to do. But, not until 5 minutes we were standing there. One of my friends said in a whisper "Hey, it's Butet!" by hinting that she was behind me. Like lightning in a broad daylight, I didn't dare to turn around. I remained silent despite my friends repeatedly said that there's Butet behind me.

But immediately after she headed to the lobby, we approached her and just like what I imagined, she's the same as what had been seen on the TV screen. She's a handsome girl. Oops .. xD
I and my three friends immediately asked for a photo together with her. She had refused and said he would immediately go exercise. But maybe because we put a face miserably as a roadside beggar, finally she willing to take a picture with us. I'm really really really really happy !!!
Can you imagine when the person you admired since childhood finally standing in front of you? It feels Wonderful!!

I ever thought I would never be able to watch my childhood idol play directly or at least meet her. Because when I could go to Jakarta without my parents permission, maybe by then she was no longer an athlete. She back to her hometown, and all my dreams just a dreams. But everything has come true now!! It's a good memory for me even though she doesn't even remember who am I.. :))

One things, I can live peacefully now. Huahaha....

How I love Badminton

I'm just an ordinary girl that actually know nothing about Badminton..

I don't know how I discover my interest in Badminton, but I know I love it.. Hahaha... :))

I really remember when I was Junior High School and I watch a really great Badminton match. At that time, I even don't know who was I watching now. But I know 1 thing, he's a player from my Country, Indonesia. And I support him of course. I watch a Men Single match, and now I know the one who I watched the match excitedly is Hendrawan. Which he's win that match and a really interesting thing on that match is, he's run right after he won. Ya~ His friends catch after him. A bunch of men. And I think I know why he ran. Hahaha...

A really exciting ending. But I know that's not my first time watched Badminton match. I ever watched other match. I think...

And another thing that show how I attracted Badminton is...... When I have my first social media account, Friendster. And that also happened when I was Junior High School.

I remember on the profile field in the bottom, I put some glittery words that's written some Badminton things, but don't remember exactly what it is. But I remember, I put some of Liliyana Natsir pictures there. Ya, I'm her fans. And also don't know when and how I adore her.

I join some group of Liliyana Natsir Fanclub. I think I like her because of her style and moreover she's a great player and have been collecting many title in many Badminton's prestigious tournament.

Ya.. I love Badminton. I ever read a quote that say "We don't remember the days. We remember the moments".