Home2023A Heartwarming Podium at the SEA Games 2023

A Heartwarming Podium at the SEA Games 2023

Indonesia’s women’s team did not succeed in winning the gold medal in badminton SEA Games 2023. The Indonesian women's team had to settle for a silver medal after being defeated by Thailand 0-3. However, the country was able to win in the men's singles after defeating its rival, Malaysia with a score of 3-1 in a match held in Phnom Penh Thursday local time. 

 

Indonesia's gold was confirmed by the second doubles, Pramudya Kusumawardhana/Yeremia Rambitan, who won three games 13-21, 21-16, 21-16 over Chia Weijie/Liew Xun. At the beginning, Leong Jun Hao brought Malaysia ahead after beating Chico Aura Wardoyo in straight games 16-21, 13-21. This result was unexpected because in the semifinals, Chico defeated the 2021 world champion from Singapore, Lew Keon Yew. In terms of ranking, Chico is also superior. He was ranked 19th while his opponent was 151th.

 

However, in the second match, the 2022 All England champion, Bagas Maulana/Muhamad Shohibul Fikri, ranked 14th, brought Indonesia to an equal position 1-1 after winning 21-12, 22-20 over Beh Chun Meng/Goh Boon Zhe, ranked 76th in the world.

 

The victory of Bagas Maulana /Muhamad Shohibul Fikri boosted the confidence of his colleagues. It was proven that Christian Adinata, who lost in the semifinals, was able to beat Malaysia's Lee Shun Yang 21-17, 21-9. This victory also avenged the defeat of Christian Adinata, ranked 59th, over Lee Shun Yang, ranked 95th, in the 2022 Indonesia International Challenge.

 

In between the joyous celebration of being the champion, an different kind of emotion also happened on the podium. 

 

The Indonesian men’s team carried a jersey that once belonged to Syabda Perkasa Belawa, an Indonesian badminton player who was projected to be part of the Indonesian men’s team at SEA Games 2023, but unexpectedly got in an accident and passed away just a few months ago. 

 

This victory also allows Indonesia to continue its dominance in the men's team after being defeated by Thailand at the 2021 SEA Games, which broke the continuous records of victory at the six previous editions of the SEA Games.

 

In the women’s team, Thailand once again won the gold medal after defeating Indonesia 3-0, making it the sixth victory in a row. 

 

Thailand's victory started with Lalinrat Chaiwan, ranked 23rd in the world, won two games 21-19, 21-17 over Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi, ranked 52nd. In the second match which competed in doubles, the pair ranked 9th in the world, Jongkolphan Kititharakul/Rawinda Prajogja won 21-11 , 21-15 over Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi, ranked 14th in the world. Until finally, in the third party, Thailand's second singles ranked 24th in the world, Supanida Katethong, ensured gold thanks to a 21-11, 21-12 victory over Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, ranked 60th in the world. 

 

After the team numbers, the 2023 SEA Games badminton will compete in individual events by providing five gold medals, men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles. 

 

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