Golden Day for Indonesia – Mixed Doubles Final: Rio 2016

The ghosts that haunted Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir from August last year were finally buried at LogoRiocentro Pavilion-4 when they became the new Olympic champions in Mixed Doubles.

A year ago, the Indonesian duo searched for words as they sought to explain their inexplicable meltdown in the semi-finals of the TOTAL BWF World Championships on home turf. The shattering loss after holding two match points was followed by a string of mediocre results, including a second round loss at the BCA Indonesia Open to a scratch Danish combination that included a Women’s Singles specialist.

Today they put it all behind them with an immaculate display that gave opponents Chan Peng Soon and Goh Liu Ying no whiff of opportunity. With the 21-14 21-12 whitewash of their Malaysian opponents, Ahmad and Natsir gifted Indonesia its first-ever Olympic Mixed Doubles gold medal.

XD Finals_Winning Moment

Having a solitary win in eight matches against the experienced Indonesians, Chan and Goh were underdogs going into the final. Whatever hopes they might have entertained of an upset were quickly put to the sword by their rampant opponents. Chan barely got an opportunity to use his smash as Natsir was all over the net and kept forcing the lift from the Malaysians, enabling Ahmad to pick points like cherries off a tree. To make things worse for Malaysia, Chan’s chronic problems while serving returned – the low serve was quickly put away; the flicked serve either faulted or smashed down. Natsir got the shuttle to die off the tape and the Indonesians had the first game in 21 minutes.

XD_Chan Peng Soon & Goh Liu YingMalaysia were under the gun early in the second with Ahmad running riot. To their credit, they finally stitched together a good passage of play, getting to 10-12. Chan, unable to serve low, tried flicking Ahmad and it was promptly smashed down. From then it was one-way traffic once again, with Chan and Goh unable to wriggle free of the fence they were trapped in. On the 45th minute came the winner for the Indonesians, and with it, the completion of the resume for Ahmad and Natsir – an Olympic title to go with the World title.

“I’m speechless,” Ahmad said. “This is a gift from us for Indonesia’s Independence Day.”

Natsir was more expressive: “Even though I have so much experience, I was so stressed early in the match today. We were able to execute out plans well and that’s how we won. We had a bad season but that was because we were thinking only of the Olympics. Of course the loss in the World Championships hurt us, and we felt down for much of last year. When we lost in the early rounds of the Superseries in Indonesia and Australia I consoled myself, telling myself that it was okay, and we kept our focus on the Olympics.”

Their beaten opponents were all smiles despite the loss.

“We do have regrets at losing, of course, but we did our best today,” said Chan. His partner hoped their result would lead to more interest in the discipline back home, since “Mixed Doubles doesn’t get much attention in Malaysia… I hope it will get some attention now.”

XD Finals_Podium2

Top seeds and London 2012 champions Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei, who won the bronze medal beating compatriots Xu Chen and Ma Jin yesterday, were philosophical about their semi-final loss.

“We were the top seeds and favourites, but there will be ups and downs in one’s life. There are no guarantees. We did our best, there’s no disappointment at all,” said Zhao.

Asked if the bronze medal match was her last international contest, Zhao was non-committal: “I’m not sure I’m retiring. It might be my last match as a professional. But I’m not sure I’m done yet. First, I would like to get some rest.”

Olympic and Paralympic News

Zhang & Wang: Stars With Different Legacies

Zhang & Wang: Stars With Different Legacies

4 June 2023
Sung Energised by Recent Successes

Sung Energised by Recent Successes

1 March 2017
Line Kjaersfeldt Targets GPG Success

Line Kjaersfeldt Targets GPG Success

20 February 2017
Saina Nehwal: ‘I Feel Lighter On Court’

Saina Nehwal: ‘I Feel Lighter On Court’

20 January 2017
Zwiebler Hungry Despite Setbacks

Zwiebler Hungry Despite Setbacks

18 January 2017
Danish Duo Relish Rio Memories

Danish Duo Relish Rio Memories

17 January 2017
Men’s Doubles – 2016 in Review

Men’s Doubles – 2016 in Review

27 December 2016
Badminton Leads China Ratings

Badminton Leads China Ratings

1 September 2016
Badminton on Olympic Channel

Badminton on Olympic Channel

30 August 2016
European Resurgence in Rio

European Resurgence in Rio

26 August 2016
Bouncing Back in Style

Bouncing Back in Style

25 August 2016
A Revolution in Rio

A Revolution in Rio

21 August 2016
Lee’s ‘Long’ Suffering Continues – Men’s Singles Final: Rio 2016

Lee’s ‘Long’ Suffering Continues – Men’s Singles Final: Rio 2016

20 August 2016
Serves – Malaysia, Wrong! – Men’s Doubles Final: Rio 2016

Serves – Malaysia, Wrong! – Men’s Doubles Final: Rio 2016

19 August 2016
Latina Carolina Reigns! – Women’s Singles Final: Rio 2016

Latina Carolina Reigns! – Women’s Singles Final: Rio 2016

19 August 2016
Lin Dan Dethroned – Men’s Singles Semi-finals: Rio 2016

Lin Dan Dethroned – Men’s Singles Semi-finals: Rio 2016

19 August 2016
Golden First for Japan – Day 8 – Women’s Doubles Final: Rio 2016

Golden First for Japan – Day 8 – Women’s Doubles Final: Rio...

18 August 2016
Marin-Sindhu Battle for History – Women’s Singles Semi-finals: Rio 2016

Marin-Sindhu Battle for History – Women’s Singles Semi-finals: Rio 2016

18 August 2016
Lin Survives; Lee Cruises  – Day 7 – Men’s Singles Quarter-Finals: Rio 2016

Lin Survives; Lee Cruises – Day 7 – Men’s Singles Quarter-Finals: Rio...

17 August 2016
Sindhu Sizzles into Semis – Day 6 Session 2: Rio 2016

Sindhu Sizzles into Semis – Day 6 Session 2: Rio 2016

17 August 2016
History-Making Danes Thwart China – Day 6 Session 1: Rio 2016

History-Making Danes Thwart China – Day 6 Session 1: Rio 2016

16 August 2016
China’s Doubles Giants Humbled – Day 5 Session 2: Rio 2016

China’s Doubles Giants Humbled – Day 5 Session 2: Rio 2016

15 August 2016
Fu/Zhang Ride Out Storm – Day 5 Session 1: Rio 2016

Fu/Zhang Ride Out Storm – Day 5 Session 1: Rio 2016

15 August 2016
Jorgensen Chugs On – Day 4 Session 2: Rio 2016

Jorgensen Chugs On – Day 4 Session 2: Rio 2016

15 August 2016
Quarter-Finals Drawing Attention – Rio 2016

Quarter-Finals Drawing Attention – Rio 2016

15 August 2016
Chan/Goh in Semi-finals – Day 4 Session 3: Rio 2016

Chan/Goh in Semi-finals – Day 4 Session 3: Rio 2016

14 August 2016
Nehwal Falls to Ulitina – Day 4 Session 1: Rio 2016

Nehwal Falls to Ulitina – Day 4 Session 1: Rio 2016

14 August 2016
Brazil Badminton Grabs Spotlight

Brazil Badminton Grabs Spotlight

14 August 2016
Evans Shakes Off Oliveira – Day 3 Session 3: Rio 2016

Evans Shakes Off Oliveira – Day 3 Session 3: Rio 2016

13 August 2016
Ellis/Langridge Through – Day 3 Session 2: Rio 2016

Ellis/Langridge Through – Day 3 Session 2: Rio 2016

13 August 2016
World Champs Out – Day 3 Session 1: Rio 2016

World Champs Out – Day 3 Session 1: Rio 2016

13 August 2016
Koreans Double Their Account – Day 2 Session 3: Rio 2016

Koreans Double Their Account – Day 2 Session 3: Rio 2016

12 August 2016
Ivanov/Sozonov in Quarters – Day 2 Session 2: Rio 2016

Ivanov/Sozonov in Quarters – Day 2 Session 2: Rio 2016

12 August 2016
Mixed Doubles Drama in Group B – Day 2 Session 1: Rio 2016

Mixed Doubles Drama in Group B – Day 2 Session 1: Rio...

12 August 2016
Cordon Falls to Dziolko – Day 1 Session 3: Rio 2016

Cordon Falls to Dziolko – Day 1 Session 3: Rio 2016

12 August 2016
Xu/Ma Stage Escape – Day 1 Session 2: Rio 2016

Xu/Ma Stage Escape – Day 1 Session 2: Rio 2016

12 August 2016
Endo/Hayakawa Clinch Thriller: Day 1 Session 1 – Rio 2016

Endo/Hayakawa Clinch Thriller: Day 1 Session 1 – Rio 2016

12 August 2016
Double Duty in Rio!

Double Duty in Rio!

11 August 2016
Top Guns Ready to Fire

Top Guns Ready to Fire

11 August 2016
Under No Illusions

Under No Illusions

10 August 2016
Danes Hope to Capitalise on Strong Season

Danes Hope to Capitalise on Strong Season

10 August 2016
A New Carolina, Says Rivas

A New Carolina, Says Rivas

9 August 2016
Fifth Olympic Salvo for Mateusiak

Fifth Olympic Salvo for Mateusiak

8 August 2016
Savouring the Olympic Flavour

Savouring the Olympic Flavour

6 August 2016
Singles Preview: The Promise of Epic Battles

Singles Preview: The Promise of Epic Battles

6 August 2016
A First for Flag-Bearer Lee

A First for Flag-Bearer Lee

4 August 2016
Zhang/Zhao the Opening Act

Zhang/Zhao the Opening Act

3 August 2016
Doubles Preview: Group Surprises Lurk for the Unwary

Doubles Preview: Group Surprises Lurk for the Unwary

1 August 2016
Rio Countdown: Aussies Living a Dream

Rio Countdown: Aussies Living a Dream

29 July 2016
‘One Match at a Time’

‘One Match at a Time’

28 July 2016
Olympic Channel Launch on August 21

Olympic Channel Launch on August 21

28 July 2016
Rio Countdown: Ygor Oliveira’s Samba Secret

Rio Countdown: Ygor Oliveira’s Samba Secret

28 July 2016
Rio Countdown: Dutch Duo Seek to Re-create Magic

Rio Countdown: Dutch Duo Seek to Re-create Magic

27 July 2016
Contenders Brace for Hard Battles

Contenders Brace for Hard Battles

27 July 2016
Possible Lee-Lin ‘Semis’ Showdown

Possible Lee-Lin ‘Semis’ Showdown

27 July 2016
Rio Countdown: Australian Duo Look to Make Impact

Rio Countdown: Australian Duo Look to Make Impact

26 July 2016
Rio Countdown: Chou Riding High on Confidence

Rio Countdown: Chou Riding High on Confidence

25 July 2016
Mechanics of the Olympic Draw

Mechanics of the Olympic Draw

22 July 2016
Lee, Marin Lead Seedings

Lee, Marin Lead Seedings

21 July 2016
No Rio Repeat for Olympic Champs

No Rio Repeat for Olympic Champs

19 July 2016
BWF Launches Olympic Website

BWF Launches Olympic Website

11 July 2016
Mexico Completes Olympic List

Mexico Completes Olympic List

5 July 2016
Australia Make Rio Picks

Australia Make Rio Picks

10 June 2016
Badminton to Feature in Olympic Channel Programming

Badminton to Feature in Olympic Channel Programming

7 June 2016
Trio Get Rio 2016 Tripartite Places

Trio Get Rio 2016 Tripartite Places

25 May 2016
Provisional List of Olympic Qualifiers Published

Provisional List of Olympic Qualifiers Published

5 May 2016
Continental Championships: The Home Stretch to Rio Begins

Continental Championships: The Home Stretch to Rio Begins

24 April 2016
Calmer, Tougher Intanon Believes She Can Get Better

Calmer, Tougher Intanon Believes She Can Get Better

19 April 2016
Ygor Oliveira’s Samba Secret

Ygor Oliveira’s Samba Secret

8 April 2016
Liang Xiaoyu Sniffs Olympics Chance

Liang Xiaoyu Sniffs Olympics Chance

15 March 2016
Intanon Ready for Battles Ahead

Intanon Ready for Battles Ahead

2 March 2016
Race to Rio: Close Call for Doubles Contenders

Race to Rio: Close Call for Doubles Contenders

18 January 2016
Race to Rio: Chen Leads, Lee Close Behind

Race to Rio: Chen Leads, Lee Close Behind

14 January 2016
Special Olympics Embrace BWF Shuttle Time

Special Olympics Embrace BWF Shuttle Time

26 October 2015
Høyer: Innovation and Integrity Key Ingredients

Høyer: Innovation and Integrity Key Ingredients

16 May 2015
Rio 2016: The Race Begins

Rio 2016: The Race Begins

4 May 2015
Singles Maximum Reduced for Rio 2016

Singles Maximum Reduced for Rio 2016

11 February 2014