Paris 2024 Olympics: Anthony Sinisuka Ginting off the blocks with win
Two days into the badminton competition, Porte de La Chapelle Arena has been rocking, with the rafters packed from the first match at 8:30 in the morning.
The stark contrast between Paris 2024
and Tokyo 2020 in terms of the atmosphere has been such that it has taken aback many of the players. Count Anthony Sinisuka Ginting as one of them.
“I felt a little bit nervous when I come into the court today,” Ginting said, after beating American Howard Shu 21-14, 21-8 in Group H on Sunday (28 July). “Yeah maybe the point was really tough until the first interval in the first game.
Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Ginting is off to a winning start at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting: Bronze to gold?
Victory for the Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist - the first shuttler to win medals at both the Olympic Games and Youth Olympic Games - was never really in question.
But the bright lights of the Games and immense expectations from Indonesia can do funny things. A day earlier, compatriot Jonatan Christie was pushed to three games by Julien Carraggi when he probably should have finished the job in two.
“Maybe it was because the Olympics,” Ginting said, looking back on his 33-minute win over Shu, who he faced for the first time. “I don’t think it was only me. I think every player felt the same thing.
“But you know, the important thing is we need to get out from that kind of thing.”
The last two Olympic men’s singles champions - Viktor Axelsen in Tokyo, Chen Long in Rio 2016 - both won bronze at the Games preceding their triumph. Ginting will be hoping to follow in their footsteps.
“I hope so. I will try my very best and enjoy my matches,” he said. “Three years ago and today, I have much more experience. Three years is a long time.”
Confident?
“Have to be.”
Gold medal this time?
“Hope so.”
And then there was the trademark smile.