Asian Games 2018 begins on 18th August, just one day after Indonesia’s 73th Independence Day, and everyone can’t stop talking about that. Actually, we have been kept excited for almost a year ever since the official countdown decoration was placed near the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle. To celebrate the multi-sport event hosted in Jakarta and Palembang, we caught up with six young female athletes that will be participating at the event to talk about their excitements for the games to the things they love most about Indonesia.
Text by Lulu Nisrina. Photographs by Ila Schaffer.
Mutiara Habiba
Taekwondo Athlete
Tell us how did you get started in Taekwondo?
I used to be a highly sensitive kid, and then my parents sent me to practice martial arts in hope so I could be braver. I joined Taekwondo when I was in 5th grade.
What is your most memorable match?
It would probably be 2015 Summer Universiade in Korea. It was the biggest multi-sport event I’ve ever participated in.
The 2018 Asian Games is almost here! How are you feeling?
I’m nervous. I guess we would probably not be hosting the games until the next 50 years, so it’s a really good opportunity for me.
How long have you trained for Asian Games 2018?
After the Southeast Asia Games last year, we got back to traininf for this year’s Asian Games. I think we’ve been training for a year.
What do you love most about Indonesia?
Indonesia is home, and wherever I go, I always miss Indonesian’s food. So, it’s definitely the food, I think? Right now I’m obsessed with ayam gepuk sambal bawang.
Share to us something that you think is very Indonesian.
I don’t know. Indomie? All I can think about is food! [Laughs]
Do you have any Independence Day wishes for Indonesia?
I hope we can develop to a better country so we could be as developed as Singapore? [Laughs] And I hope Semarang will undergo an equitable growth just like Jakarta.
Do you have something to share for the future young athletes?
If you aim to be a winner, you have to work and train hard for it.
Joleta Budiman
Tennis Athlete
Tell us how did you get started in tennis?
When I was 5, I used to go to the tennis court just to catch the balls. Long story short, I got interested in the sport and I asked my dad to buy me a tennis racquet. My journey started there.
What is your most memorable match?
Mine would be 2016 National Games (PON) because it was held in Bandung, West Java. It was a very proud moment for me because I am originally from Bandung and I was happy to represent my province. I was also the youngest athlete that got to the semi-final.
The 2018 Asian Games is almost here! How are you feeling?
I’m as happy as I was when I was about to play at the 2016 PON. It’s going to be my first Asian Games experience and I’m also one of the youngest athletes in my team. I still gotta look up to my seniors in the way we adapt to the difficult situations, because it’s only I recently I got transitioned from being a junior to senior player. I’m so happy that I’ll be participating in the 2018 Asian Games!
How do you find balance between training and life?
I was home-schooled. That way, I could balance my training and learning time. I have now graduated from high school and I’m going to study in uni in the US after the Asian Games.
What do you love most about Indonesia?
What I love the most about Indonesia is the people. Everyone here is really kind. Also, the nature!
Share to us something that you think is very Indonesian.
I’d say Bali. Because every time anyone talks about Bali, people will know it’s in Indonesia.
Do you have any Independence Day wishes for Indonesia?
Since we host the 2018 Asian Games, so I hope our athletes win.
Do you have something to share for the future young athletes?
There are a lot of sacrifices to be an athlete. If you’re willing to sacrifice, you’re going to see the result.
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung
Badminton Athlete
Tell us how did you get started in badminton?
I used to come with my dad when he was playing badminton with his friends and I found it interesting. At first, I only play with him until finally I took it seriously. I was seven when it all started.
What is your most memorable match?
It would probably be the 2017 BWF World Junior Championship held in Yogyakarta. It was my first experience singing Indonesia Raya in a championship and also my first time being a world champion.
The 2018 Asian Games is almost here! How are you feeling?
I’m excited because we’ll be hosting the event and it’s going to be my first time participating in the Asian Games. I want to give my best for Indonesia.
How do you find balance between training and life?
I can always go outside on the weekends because I only have half-day training on Saturdays and I’m completely free on Sundays. But other than the weekends, I’m always training.
What do you love most about Indonesia?
Is food considered as an answer? I really love bakso and ayam penyet.
Share to us something that you think is very Indonesian.
That Indonesians are sweet. Aren’t we?
Do you have any Independence Day wishes for Indonesia?
I hope we can be a more developed nation. I also hope that Indonesian athletes can win lots of medals in the 2018 Asian Games.
Do you have something to share for the future young athletes?
Whatever you do, you have to be responsible with yourself. You also have to vision your goals so they will motivate you better.
Andriani Shintya Ardhana and Naima Syeeda Sharita
Synchronized Swimming Duo
Tell us how did you get started in synchronized swimming?
Andriani (A): When I was 13, my coach―who just got back from Russia that time―asked me to join synchronized swimming training. Then I did, and long story short got selected for national training.
Naima (N): I started swimming when I was three years old and joined synchronized swimming when I was seven. I first saw my seniors were in a synchronized swimming duet and it was really cool. After that, I asked my mom to sign me up to the club so I could be like them.
What is your most memorable match?
A: Mine is World Championship that took place in Russia. The euphoria was real as Russia was both the host and world champion!
N: Mine is the 2017 Southeast Asian Games. I was really nervous since it was the biggest competition I’ve ever participated in, but thankfully I could calm my nerves.
The 2018 Asian Games is almost here! How are you feeling?
N: Seeing the event banner placed literally everywhere makes me nervous.
A: Yeah. It makes me think, like, “Whoa, it’s coming!”
How long have you trained for the 2018 Asian Games?
A: We have been training since February at the National Training Center in Senayan.
What do you love most about Indonesia?
A: The beautiful nature.
N: The culture. There are so many languages spoken in Indonesia and we also have the greatest cuisines. Oh, how I love Indonesian food! It’s anything but boring.
Share to us something that you think is very Indonesian.
N: Nasi padang [laughs]. Umm, something that’s very Indonesian…
A: Batik!
Do you have any Independence Day wishes for Indonesia?
Both: Happy birthday Indonesia!
N: I hope Indonesia will be a more developed country. I’m wishing us the best in it!
A: I really hope that Indonesia can actually live the word ‘freedom’, in terms of fair play and other things.
Do you have something to share for the future young athletes?
N: Don’t give up easily. If you think your body is not flexible enough, keep training. You’ll be trained until you get there. Don’t think that being an athlete is some kind of natural-born talent. It’s a result of hard work.
A: Patience is also important. We all need to go through some kind of process and we have to be patient in doing so. Always push your limit in doing everything. It’s not only about being an athlete, but to live your life in general, you have to push your limit.
N: And be humble.
Alya Nadira
Water Polo Athlete
Tell us how did you get started in water polo?
I started my journey in the aquatic world at six. One day I was practicing and I saw a team playing water polo for the first time and I thought, “This sport looks very challenging.” And then I joined, because I am a person who loves being challenged.
Who inspired you?
My parents are my inspiration―both of them used to be athletes. About being a national athlete, I’ve always wanted to be like my dad. He was a soccer player and won gold medal at the 1987 Southeast Asian Games.
What is your most memorable match?
It’s definitely the 2017 Southeast Asian Games since it was my first experience in joining the biggest multi-sport event in Southeast Asia. I was so happy that I got to make my dad’s dream turn into reality.
The 2018 Asian Games is almost here! How are you feeling?
I’m really nervous. It’s been 52 years since the last time Indonesia hosted the Asian Games and this is going to be the first time that women’s water polo participated in the Asian Games. Well, I might be on an emotional rollercoaster, but I’m also very excited to make history for myself and Indonesia.
How long have you trained for the 2018 Asian Games?
I’ve been training at the camp since January. So, it’s almost been eight months.
What do you love most about Indonesia?
What I love most about Indonesia are its nature and multiculturalism. And as an athlete who has represented Indonesia abroad, I could say that every time people heard the word ‘Indonesia’, they would associate it with beaches… Bali…
Share to us something that you think is very Indonesian.
Beaches, ‘cause I think there are no beaches as beautiful as the ones we have in Indonesia.
Do you have any Independence Day wishes for Indonesia?
I hope Indonesians, the youth to be exact, can try to be more open-minded and accept changes. It’s not about being ‘Westernized’, but we have to be a generation of youth that learns to embrace the good.
Do you have something to share for the future young athletes?
Never afraid to dream, ‘cause I believe that everything starts from a dream. And since dreaming is free, why don’t you dream big? Also, remember to dare to be different, brave to be yourself, stay spirited and always love Indonesia.
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