Asian Games 2018: Height is Off Track Factor For Good Performance For Indonesians

Among 11,300 athletes from across Asia, who are set to start their campaign in 40 different sports at the upcoming Asian Games 2018, the diminutive world’s top ranked Men’s Doubles team Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo from Indonesia are set to embark the glory in badminton in Jakarta.

In all the previous seventeen editions at the Games, Indonesia is marked as one of the best nations in badminton event; the country is also known for its wide awareness of the sport, which is being opted by children and adults alike.

Paired three years ago, aged 27 and 23, Gideon and Sanjaya grabbed as many titles as possible together at major tournaments, including the prestigious All England Open this year.

“Height is the off track factor for the good performance. What's important is confidence,” said 168cms tall Gideon as quoted in Reuters.

“Practising reflects improvement, that's why we are getting better,” said Sanjaya, who is 2cms taller than his partner.

The world no. 2 ranked Carsten Mogensen and Mathias Boe were outplayed by the Indonesians at the All England Open 2018, and are ready to hit the bird for gold at the Asian Games 2018.

Indonesia has a long history of success at international badminton competitions, most recently through the now retired Olympic and world singles champion Taufik Hidayat.

Their compatriots who clinched the major titles previously - Tan Joe Hok became the first Indonesian to win the All England Open in 1959 and Susi Susanti, gold medallist at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics - are not tall but powerful.

“With the right strategy and agility, they can beat their much larger opponents,” opined Gideon.

Over 15 versions of the Asian Games, Indonesians won 26 gold medals in the sport standing behind China who remains on top of the medal stats.

The buoyancy of the duo will definitely strike gold among the home crowd in Jakarta, Indonesia.