Home2016Mariska wants to be a world beater like Susi Susanti

Mariska wants to be a world beater like Susi Susanti

 

At the age of 17, Gregoria Mariska is the brightest spark in the women's badminton in Indonesia after Olympic gold medallist Susi Susanti quit the sport in 1997 after getting married to Alan Budikusuma – another of Indonesian badminton great.
Mariska, however, has her work cut out for her to reach Susi Susanti's level but is determined to make the grade – inspired by her idol who is none other than Susi.

Susi won the women's singles gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics – the same year Budikusuma won the gold medal in the men's singles. Susi also swept the gold medals in the Asian Games, World Cup and World Championships apart from winning the Sudirman Cup and the Uber Cup.

 

Mariska won the Indonesian National Circuit in 2015. She is prepared to walk the extra mile to achieve her badminton dreams of winning medals at all levels in international competitions.

"I am prepared to make the sacrifices and I am prepared to scale new heights in my badminton career. This is only beginning if I want to be like Susi. I want to win Olympic medals and world titles like Susi. Susi is my inspiration," said Mariska who is Indonesia's hope to win the girls' singles title in the on-going SCG Badminton Asia Junior Championships.

The individual events got underway at the CPB Badminton and Sports Science Training Center in Bangkok on Wednesday after the completion of the mixed team event on Tuesday. Indonesia, semi-finalist last year, could only reach the quarter-finals this year where they lost to South Korea 3-1.

 

 

Coach Fung Permadi also sees a bright future for Mariska but admitted that the player will have to work harder to go far in her badminton career.

"Mariska is good at the net. However, she must improve her footwork and court coverage. International exposure will make her a better player. Now that she is part of the senior team and has played in the SEA Games and in the Uber Cup she is on the right track," said Fung, adding that he has faith in Mariska making good because she has the right attitude in her game.
 

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