Indonesia's Anthony Ginting wins in straight sets to secure men's badminton singles bronze

Anthony Ginting of Indonesia has won the Tokyo 2020 badminton singles bronze medal, after a 21-11, 21-13 against Kevin Cordon. Guatemala's Cordon had become the first Latin American player to reach the semi-finals of an Olympic badminton tournament, but fell just short of securing a medal.

Ginting's victory came on the same day that Indonesian pair Apriyani Rahayu and Greysia Polii won gold in the women's doubles. Athletes from the nation have now won five medals in total at Tokyo 2020, with one gold, one silver and three bronze.

Ginting was delighted with his bronze medal, saying after the game: “I’m very happy. I’m glad I could win the bronze medal at my first Olympics. I want to appreciate everyone for supporting me.

“I was coming for the medal, regardless of how well the opponent might play. I wanted to show my best performance for the medal, and I’m happy I could do just that.

“I’m feeling the bronze medal. The medal is for Indonesia. It means so much to me, my family, Indonesian badminton, and its supporters. 

“Training has been very tough but I can finally calm down for today.”

For his part, and despite his historic achievement, Cordon expressed his sadness at his loss: “My last day, my last match at this Olympics," he said.

"I feel sad because I wanted to win a medal, but that’s the way it is, I cannot complain. I didn’t think I would be in the semi-finals. Of course I wanted to win it, but I have to be realistic.”

However, when reflecting on his Olympic experience, Cordon acknowledged that after Tokyo 2020 his life will never be the same.

“Before it was black, and now it is white," he said. "It is totally different. I will go back home totally different as an athlete and as a person.

“For me, it was a dream to be in this Olympic Games, it was a dream to be in the semi-finals. Now I’m going to go back home and say, ‘Thank you, Guatemala’.”