World Number 1 Kevin/Marcus Secures Second Badminton Gold
Badminton Mens Doubles Pair Kevin/Marcus and Fajar/Rian salute when the national anthem played at Istora GBK, Jakarta, Tuesday (28/8). (Photo: PR)
Indonesia number one badminton double pair Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon also known as Minions – settled the 24th gold medal after defeating their compatriots Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto 13-21, 21-18, 24- 22.
The all-Indonesian mens doubles badminton final cheered thousands of spectators who packed the Istora Gelora Bung Karno (GBK), Jakarta, Tuesday (28/8). Both pairs played intensely and showed their best performance.
At first many thought that the battle would be less intense as Kevin/Marcus are seniors to Fajar/Rian. But unexpectedly, Fajar / Rian surprised everyone by winning the first set with a score 13-21.
In the second set, Kevin/Marcus rebounded and left Fajar/Rian with a score of 21-18, while in the decisive rubber game, Kevin/Marcus closed the game by defeating Fajar and Rian 24-22 and Kevin/Marcus eventually emerged as the champion and brought home a gold medal, while Fajar/Rian had to settle for a silver medal.
From this result, Indonesia remains in the 4th rank with 24 gold, 18 silver, and 28 bronze.
For the record, this all-Indonesian final was a repeat of the 1974 Asian Games in Tehran, when mens doubles Tjun and Johan Wahjudi beat their fellow countrymen Christian Hadinata and Ade Chandra (UN DID / GUN / ES) (STU/EP/Naster)
