Indonesia Badminton Men's Team Won Thomas Cup 2020! China's Domination Ends

Indonesia badminton men's team have won Thomas Cup of 2020 after demolishing China 3-0 in the final. The country's 19 years long wait for the cup finally ends on Sunday, 17 October, 2021. The match was held in Ceres Arena, Aarhus, Denmark.

Thomas Cup 2020 was postponed and held this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation just like many other sporting events.

Each countries is represented by 3 single players and 2 double teams. Indonesia dominated China's team by winning the first three matches.

Thomas Cup is one of the most prestigious competition in men's badminton and often referred as world men's team championship. Teams representing member nations of Badminton World Federation compete against each other in this event every two years.

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Indonesia lifts the Thomas Cup for the first time since 2002.

The first point was earned by Anthony Sinisuka Ginting who played against China's Lu Guang Zu. The score ended 18-21, 21-14, and 21-16. Ginting is currently Indonesia's best badminton single player, number 5 in the world, and had won Bronze in Japan Olympic 2020 last summer.

Indonesia men's double, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto, defeated He Ji Ting and Zhou Hao Dong  pair and earned the second point. The match ended only after two rounds as the Indonesian pair demolished their opponents, 21-12 and 21-19.

Indonesia locked the title after Jonathan Christie won the third game at Ceres Arena, Aarhus, Denmark, on Sunday. Jonathan, often familiarly called as Jojo by fans, beat Li Shi Feng 21-14, 18-21, and 21-14. 

The game was intense and produced stunning long rallies. The following video, taken from Badminton World Federation (BWF) official YouTube channel, shows the intensity of the match between Jojo and Li Shi Feng:

This victory was also presented by Jojo to the people of Indonesia who are still struggling with the Covid-19 pandemic. Jojo hopes that this result can encourage all citizens in the country.

"I dedicate this victory to all the people of Indonesia. We present the victory by reclaiming the Thomas Cup for families, coaches, support teams, PBSI administrators, and Indonesian badminton lovers," said Jonatan Christie after the match at the Scandic Hotel, Aarhus after the match on Sunday, as quoted from Detik Sport.

Indonesia President, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo also congratulated the squad via the official Instagram account.

"The tension of watching the fierceness of the 2020 Thomas Cup final tonight finally turned into excitements when Jonathan Christie jumped, clenched his fists, and shouted with joy at the end of the third game. Indonesia champion!".

"The Thomas Cup has finally returned to Indonesia after 19 years of waiting. From the homeland, I congratulate all Indonesian badminton athletes and coaches who have fought and made the nation proud at Ceres Arena, Aarhus, Denmark." As quoted from Jokowi's Instagram.

Penalty From World Anti-Doping Agency

According to Kompas.com, during the championship ceremony, Indonesia was not allowed to fly its national flag because the country is currently serving a punishment from World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The flag then was replaced with the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) logo.

WADA said Indonesia did not comply with anti-doping procedures and was therefore ineligible to host a regional, continental or international championship during the suspension period. Indonesian athletes are still allowed to participate in competitions, but cannot fly its national flag and carry the name of the country other than in the Olympics.

More About The Thomas Cup

For Indonesia, this title quenches the thirst for the cup after waiting for almost two decades. The badminton-crazed country won its last Thomas Cup in 2002. Indonesia suffered two defeats in 2010 and 2016 finals.

Thomas Cup 2020 is Indonesia's 14th title and most successful team in the tournament. China had won the cup 10 times, followed by Malaysia's 5 titles. Japan had won it once. Denmark, also with one title, is the only country outside of Asia that had won the tournament.

The competition that used to be dominated by Indonesia, China, Denmark, and Malaysia now becomes fiercer as more countries, such as Japan, Thailand, and India, started to develop their interest in this sport. 

Meanwhile, at Uber Cup, the women's badminton world tournament, Indonesia's squad was unable to continue to the semi-final after a 2-3 defeat against Thailand.

 Greysia Polii dan Apriyani Rahayu, the pair who won women's double gold in Tokyo 2020 Olympic, was not seen playing together. Greysia is recovering from injuries and Apriyani was paired with Putri Syaikah. 

Interestingly, the new pcombination was able to perform well and hinting Syaikah as the next generation of  Indonesia women's double, to replace Polii who may retire soon.

The Uber Cup 2020 Final is played between Japan and China women squads. The two countries produced a fierce final battle for the Uber Cup but China came out as the winner and take its 15th title.

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