Defeating Kim Ga-eun, Gregoria Mariska Maintains Hope of Golden Tradition

Paris, Todaysgist.com – Indonesian women’s singles Gregoria Mariska Tunjung is Indonesia’s only hope to continue the Olympic gold tradition from badminton. Gregoria successfully advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics, after successfully eliminating South Korean representative, Kim Ga-eun in two straight games 21-4, 8-21, and 23-21 in the round of 16, Friday (2/8/2024) early morning WIB.

Playing at Porte de la Chapelle Arena, Gregoria appeared to be pressing from the start of the match. The fast play of the BWF number 8 badminton player made Kim make many of her own mistakes. Gregoria successfully closed the first game interval with an 11-2 advantage.

Gregoria continued to press and made it difficult for Kim to develop his game. The first game was closed with a score of 21-4 after smash Gregoria went straight to the right corner, which Kim Ga-eun couldn’t anticipate.

The situation turned around in the second game. Kim started to rise and found his best playing pattern, until he won the first four points. Kim continued to win points until he closed the second game interval 4-11.

In the next interval, Gregoria continued to be pressured by Kim’s shots that were narrowly aimed at the edge of the line. The second game was closed with a score of 8-21, after the shots backhand Gregoria hits the net.

The game was tight at the start of the deciding game. However, Kim continued to lead the score until the end of the third game interval, 8-11.

After the break, Gregoria rose and was able to equalize the score to 11-11. Gregoria even turned the lead to 13-12 through a thin netting game in front of the net.

The tight situation and the following points occurred in the rest of the third game. Both players took turns leading by one point, until the score was 18-18.

Gregoria finally succeeded in seizing match point first 20-19. Unfortunately, Kim managed to force two after Gregoria’s shot hit the net.

Gregoria successfully captured match point second, 21-20, before being equalized again to 21-21. After getting match point Third, Gregoria finally succeeded in winning the match, after a blow lob Kim Ga-eun went wide outside and ended the match 23-21.

In the quarter-finals, Gregoria is already waiting for Thai badminton player, Ratchanok Intanon. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Intanon was the player who tripped Gregoria in the round of 16.

It is known that since Susi Susanti won gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Indonesia has always won gold in badminton.

The gold tradition was interrupted at the 2012 London Olympics. At that time, Indonesia did not get a medal from the badminton branch, after the mixed doubles Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir lost in the bronze medal match to the Danish doubles Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Christinna Pedersen.

Owi/Butet, nicknamed Tontowi/Liliyana, continued the gold tradition by winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics which was postponed due to Covid-19, Indonesia also won gold through the women’s doubles Greysia Polii/Apriyani Rahayu.