The Art Of Badminton

The Hero

It only took one more number for Ginting to snatch victory. If that happens, it will be Ginting's second super 1000 title after his win at the China Open a few months ago. Even this will be a pride because the men's singles sector has not been a champion in the Indonesia Open tournament for a long time.

Ginting looked calm and prepared to serve. The entire stadium looked silent and even very quiet there was not the slightest sound. This time Ginting seemed a bit long to serve. All the spectators were silent waiting for the ball to slide towards Antonsen and wanted to immediately fall in his field.

Ginting still hasn't served. Some of the audience seemed astonished including Rey and Nay who suddenly looked at each other and hinted at confusion in both.

"Ginting...Ginting !" The referee called and told him to come closer.

The referee spoke to Ginting and told him to serve immediately.

Ginting apologized for delaying service too long.

Ginting prepared in his position to serve. I don't know why he seems uncomfortable. He hesitated to hit the ball.

"It's a danger !" Nay closed his eyes, unable to see.

Rey looks at Nay and eventually finds out that Ginting has pain in her wrist.

It only takes one more point to be champion and Ginting has four match points. Is it possible that all the shadows about winning will just disappear. Even if Antonsen make a mistake once, automatically Ginting will come out as a champion.

"Gintegg..endurehhh !" Rey shouted loudly and echoed throughout the stadium. He no longer cared about people's views. He shouted several times while standing up and filled with vigor.

Nay looked at it with astonishment. In Nay's eyes, Rey is like someone who shows his love for the idol, before he grows into himself.

Nay was sure he wasn't wrong. Rey's spirit was like someone she knew, but it slowly faded and even disappeared. Nay hopes Rey won't be like that later.

Ginting's hands were trembling. At times like this even to serve will be difficult. But Ginting has to do it, let alone just need one point.

The ball was successfully struck and flew towards Antonsen. Not yet the ball to the Antonsen racket, the service judge has declared Ginting service 'fault'. Ginting service is declared fault because the racket is lifted too high and exceeds the provisions set by the organization, which must not exceed 115cm.

The audience shouted regretting the decision of the referee. Ginting'pun looked disappointed but did not attempt to protest. He was just pacing around in the field trying to relieve the pain in his hand.

17-20, and this time Antonsen will serve.

The serve ball from Antonsen shot far back. It was unexpected that he immediately did a service flick. Antonsen knows very well the condition of Ginting, and flick service is the right thing to do at this time.

And it is true what Antonsen did. Ginting seemed to have trouble returning the ball because in addition to flying far back, but also his wrist was currently injured and there was no power to return such a ball. The ball returned to Antonsen with great responsibility. Antonsen did not want to wait any longer, he immediately grabbed and turned the ball into the field Ginting.

The audience was disappointed. But they again shouted and sang yells to encourage Ginting.

Two points have been chasing Ginting Antonsen and with a very short time.score 18-20, and Ginting still have two match points to make him a champion.

Antonsen did a back service flick, and of course it was suspected by Ginting. Because I had guessed before, Ginting was ready and put his feet back. Because with a comfortable position, the ball can be returned by Ginting even though the pain still covers it.

"Nineteen...Twenty." The voices of the referee were heard from the noise of the spectators who were encouraging Ginting to defend.

*

Ginting took the initiative to approach the referee and ask for his hand to be examined.

The referee told the medical team to re-examine Ginting's hand. Of course this is one way Ginting can withstand the rate of Antonsen points. He hopes that after his wrist is given pain relief spray, he can immediately end this match.

Ginting returned to the field after being given pain relief spray. Antonsen showed his impatience. He was afraid that Ginting concentration was back in focus.

Antonsen did a service flick, and it turned out that Ginting was quite easy to return service from him and with a strong enough energy. The pain-relieving effect is enough to help Ginting's wrist.

A fierce battle ensued between the two. Several times Antonsen did jumping smash and successfully returned by Ginting.

Fighting in front of the net'pun often occur, and this time Antonsen do not want to make a mistake because it will immediately end this match.

Antonsen returned to play in front of the net and immediately served Ginting. Several times Ginting tried to do the mainstay technique, but it was not perfect. Even so Antonsen almost fooled and a little more lost the opportunity to catch up.

Antonsen gave a thin ball in front of the net, Ginting inevitably had to lift the ball and did not want to play in the net because it was very thin and risky.

Antonsen immediately jump smash to the left of Ginting, and the ball darted quickly. Ginting managed to bring back the Antonsen smash ball a little trouble. The ball bounced back high and back in the Antonsen hard smash to the right of Ginting. Because Ginting's position is a bit far, he dropped his body to reach the ball. His hand held all of his weight when he fell to pick up the ball. The ball returned with great responsibility and was struck by Antonsen, but Ginting with a position still sitting on the field, lucky to manage to return the ball. But the return this time is too much responsibility and carried by Antonsen who immediately produce points.

Score twenty is the same, and a deuce occurs.

Rey looked good this time. He no longer screamed cheering Ginting on. But not because he did not want Ginting to win, but by seeing Ginting who was injured and in pain, he just wanted all this to pass quickly win or lose.

Ginting is still trying to compensate for the Antonsen game with great difficulty. He ran here and there to chase the ball. With the condition of his hand in pain Ginting showed an unyielding spirit. All the spectators were amazed but also wanted Ginting to stop here. It appeared that he was in a lot of pain and even his hands were trembling withstanding the pain.

Only one point was needed for Antonsen to end this match. All the spectators seemed to have accepted whatever was going to happen. By looking at the struggle alone, Ginting already deserves the award even though he did not come out as a champion.

Antonsen is preparing to end the match. He did a jumping smash and prepared to celebrate his victory. But Ginting can still return the smash from Antonsen. Several times Ginting turned back the smash from Antonsen. In the end, he was tired and in pain. He was already powerless again and allowed the Antonsen punch to land beautifully on his field.

The referee declared the match over. Antonsens do not perform excessive celebration. He appreciated his opponent for being in an injured position. He approached Ginting who was still lying on the field and gave his hand towards Ginting as a handle. Ginting reached out to Antonsen's hands and woke up with a face that still held back pain. But he kept smiling as if he found something of satisfaction in him.

All the spectators stood clapping for the two players. Whistles appeared in every corner of the stadium. The atmosphere was very lively and not the slightest bit of disappointment from the audience. They were all proud of having an unyielding hero like Ginting.

Rey was silent without words. But subconsciously his eyes glazed over. Nay and Grandpa know this is not the time to talk let alone disturb him. They both know that the best thing for Rey right now is to let her soak in, understand and enjoy a moment like this.

Beautiful moments don't always come when we win, but when we lose they can happen.