Simulation, Visualization of Athlete for Sudirman Cup

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Indonesian team conducted a match simulation as preparation for the Sudirman Cup badminton championship. Although they were only competing against fellow training partners, the event was utilized by the athletes to envision the atmosphere of the tournament.

The simulation, which is routinely held before the world-level team championships, took place at the badminton training center in Cipayung, Jakarta, on Monday (21/4/2025). Almost all athletes participated, except for Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, who was ill, and Jonatan Christie.

The simulation was held in the same format as the Sudirman Cup which this year took place in Xiamen, China, on April 27 - May 4. A total of 16 teams started the competition in the preliminary phase which was divided into four groups. They competed in a round robin format to compete for the top two positions in each group so they could continue their journey to the quarter finals.

Jonatan and his teammates will compete against Denmark, India, and England in Group D. Compared to the other three groups, the competition in this group will be tighter based on the quality of players each country possesses.

As part of the preparation to compete in Xiamen, Indonesian athletes underwent a match simulation divided into two teams, namely Garuda and Rajawali. Each team consists of male and female singles players, male and female doubles, and mixed doubles.

One of the 21 training fields at the Cipayung national training center is used for matches. A competitive atmosphere is created by preparing seats for both teams, spectator seating, referees and line judges, as well as an announcer who introduces the names of the officials and athletes who will compete.

That is, he felt the competitive atmosphere with an atmosphere that was made like a real match. That is good for training for the championship later.

In five matches, four of which lasted three games, the Rajawali Team emerged victorious. They won through three pairs of doubles, namely Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi, and Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto. Meanwhile, the Garuda Team won two singles matches through two young players, Putri Kusuma Wardani and Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah.

Competing against training partners has become a routine program at the national training center. However, athletes felt a different atmosphere during the simulation on Monday morning until afternoon, which was followed by the release of the team by the Chairman of the PP PBSI, Fadil Imran.

For instance, Putri felt tense at the beginning of the match when facing Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo. Ester is not a member of the Indonesian Team that will compete in the Sudirman Cup, but she played in the simulation to replace Gregoria, who is ill.

"I felt tense at the beginning of the match, especially since Ester is my junior. However, after that, I was able to play better," said Putri, who won with a score of 17-21, 21-17, 21-13.

The women's singles coach, Imam Tohari, stated that the tension felt by Putri is a natural occurrence. "This means she is experiencing the competitive atmosphere created to resemble an actual match. It is beneficial for training in preparation for the upcoming championship," commented Imam.

Mixed doubles athlete, Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto, also uses his performance alongside Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja as a visualization exercise in facing the competition in Xiamen. Moreover, this 19th edition of the championship, which was first held in 1989 in Jakarta, marks Rehan's first Sudirman Cup.

Rehan/Gloria have been called by PP PBSI to be part of the "Merah Putih" Team even though they train outside the national training center, specifically at PB Djarum. Gloria stated that PBSI informed them of the opportunity to join the team since before the European Tour in March.

With the opportunity to represent Indonesia in the team event, Rehan/Gloria made the German Open, Orleans Masters, All England, and Poland Open their stage to showcase their abilities as best as possible. They reached the finals in Germany and Orleans (France), the quarter-finals in All England, and became champions at the Poland Open.

The results, including victories over players from Denmark and India, who could be opponents in Xiamen, serve as positive preparation for Rehan/Gloria for the Sudirman Cup. Furthermore, psychological readiness is partly achieved through simulations in addition to discussions with partners and coaches.

"I imagined the match earlier as a game in the Sudirman Cup," said Rehan, who defeated Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari 21-17, 8-21, 21-15.

Vita Marissa, who is accompanying Rehan/Gloria, indeed urged the pair to focus on their mindset during the simulation. The former women's and mixed doubles athlete has experience leading Indonesia to become a finalist in the Sudirman Cup in Glasgow 2007 and a finalist in the Uber Cup in Jakarta 2008.

"Competing in a team tournament is not easy. Since last night, I have been asking Rehan/Gloria to imagine if they were to play in the opening match, and also to envision themselves playing in the decisive match. There are many non-technical factors that need to be prepared for in a team tournament," said Vita.

One of the ways Vita builds the athletes' self-confidence is by communicating more intensively with them. Gloria also contributes to building Rehan's confidence due to her experience participating in the Sudirman Cup in 2017, 2019, and 2023.

Pitha, despite losing, believes that the simulation has a positive impact on her and all team members. "Through this simulation, we built solidarity and mutual support," she said.

Comprising 20 athletes, the Indonesian team will depart for Xiamen on Thursday (24/4/2025). Indonesia will play its first match on the opening day against England.

Garuda Team Simulation Results – Rajawali Team 2-3

1. Mixed doubles

Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari – Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja 17-21, 21-8, 15-21

2. Women's singles

Princess Kusuma Wardani – Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo 17-21, 21-17, 21-13

3. Men's singles

Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah – Alwi Farhan 21-12, 21-14

4. Women's doubles

Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti/Lanny Tria Mayasari – Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi 21-13, 18-21, 19-21

5. Men's doubles

Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Daniel Marthin – Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto 16-21, 21-17, 18-21