Anthony Sinisuka Ginting followed the achievements of Taufik Hidayat and Sony Dwi Kuncoro by reaching the semifinals of the men’s singles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Taufik and Sony appreciate this achievement.
Anthony Ginting advanced to the badminton semifinals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after defeating Anders Antonsen at Musashino Forest Sport Plaza in the quarter-finals, Saturday (31/7/2021) afternoon WIB. In that match, Anthony won 21-18, 15-21, and 21-18.
The positive progress to the top four became Indonesia’s first men’s singles score at the Olympics since 2004. At that time, Taufik and Sony advanced to the semifinals. taufik won silver at the end of the party while Sony closed with bronze.
“It’s been 17 years after me and Sony (Dwi Kuncoro), I’m grateful that there is another men’s singles who will make it to the semifinals of the Olympics, hopefully we can continue to the finals and get gold. After 2004 there’s no more even though I still appear in the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, ” Taufik said in a chat with detikSport.
Taufik hopes that Anthony will not be complacent after reaching the semifinals and can go further at the Tokyo Olympics. Because the Olympic semifinals have yet to produce medals.
“There is time for recovery until tomorrow, hopefully the energy will come back again. Earlier, the game still had errors but it was still at a normal level,” said Taufik.
“Tomorrow must focus more on playing, don’t be a burden. It cannot be denied that everyone will focus on the men’s singles number as a prestigious number. Already, Anthony has to fight not only with opponents on the field but also with the current pandemic situation. There are demands to be extra vigilant conditions because they don’t know who is exposed,” the 2004 Olympic gold owner added.
“My other message, tomorrow Anthony must play like competing in the final. That’s only half, tomorrow’s semi-final has not been achieved, there is a bronze fight. If you can win, you have a medal in hand. even better,” said Taufik.
Taufik also said that Anthony would not feel like he was struggling alone. He believes that all badminton legends and Indonesians fully support Anthony from afar.
“Even though there are no spectators who support directly, we here (Indonesia) continue to support it. Don’t worry, we fully support it from afar,” Taufik emphasized.
Taufik Hidayat and Sony Dwi Kuncoro on the medal podium at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Photo: Getty Images/Jonathan Ferrey |
Similarly, Sony also appreciates Anthony’s achievements. He hopes Sony can provide the best in Tokyo.
“Hopefully it can continue until the end so that the men’s singles sector can rise again,” said Sony.
Anthony Ginting will face a tough opponent, Chen Long in the semifinals. The match took place at Musashino Forest Sport Plaza, Sunday (1/8) afternoon WIB.
(fem / cas)
.
