Tantowi Ahmad / Lilyana Natsir ( A new Bomber )

**sen** · 06-18-2012, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by chris-ccc

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I watched the 2012 Indonesian Open SSP XD Final live (via live-streaming).

Towi looked tired. And Butet wasn't as sharp at the net as her regular self.

Sudket was really causing much trouble to Towi/Butet with his cross-court and deceptive shots. And Saralee was playing at her very best.

Let's hope that Towi/Butet can rest well before going to the 2012 Olympic Games.
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Saralee playing at her very best despite playing in Thailand Open the previous week where she played all the way to final in 2 event, XD and WD

**Licin** · 06-18-2012, 09:48 PM

Originally Posted by chris-ccc

.
I watched the 2012 Indonesian Open SSP XD Final live (via live-streaming).

Towi looked tired. And Butet wasn't as sharp at the net as her regular self.

Sudket was really causing much trouble to Towi/Butet with his cross-court and deceptive shots. And Saralee was playing at her very best.

Let's hope that Towi/Butet can rest well before going to the 2012 Olympic Games.
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Yes chris-ccc, it is really true Towi looked really tired, Butet does not play as sharp as she used to be. I think on Game 3, Towi is really struggling with his stamina which is nearly gone. I recalled that there are several times on which easy balls do not give them points, combined with tricky steep well placed drop shot by sudket, sudket's body language which is quite relax & face which is smiling most of the time, together with the pressure as the last match of the day, a closing match for remarkable INA Premier 2012 were really placing them under pressure...

Let's hope that their coaches able to grab a few points for sharpening them up at OG 2012.
GO TonTet.....Gold Gold Gold....

**Krisna** · 06-29-2012, 02:37 PM

**drquick** · 07-22-2012, 06:41 PM

News from BWF website

Lilyana Natsir: The key to Indonesia’s golden hopes
Thursday, July 19, 2012 - Text by Dev Sukumar | Badminton Photo

Whether partnered by Nova Widianto or Tontowi Ahmad, the on-court prowess of Lilyana Natsir makes her a formidable foe.

At the London Olympics, opponents will again be wary of the experienced Indonesian who – in Mixed Doubles with Ahmad – carries her country’s best hopes for badminton glory.

Over the past decade the 26-year-old has had her nation’s fortunes on her racket in countless doubles duels, initially paired with Widianto and more recently with Ahmad. Natsir may not have reached the stardom of celebrated former men’s singles champion, Taufik Hidayat, but her immense strength of character and skill in negotiating the testy waters of mixed-doubles badminton with different partners has earned her respect at home and abroad. She is not to be taken lightly.

This doubles specialist enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Widianto, winning two World Championships gold medals (2005 and 2007) and a silver at the Beijing Olympics four years ago. Widianto, a clever and deceptive player at the back, was well complemented by Natsir’s steely nerves and inventiveness at the net. The pair served Indonesian badminton admirably. However, towards the end of his career, Widianto began to lose his sting in attack and team management decided to pair Natsir with the younger Tontowi Ahmad.

“Nova was getting old and did not have much power,” Natsir noted. “Tontowi is younger, so (he has) more power. They have different styles. Tontowi attacks more but Nova had very good technique.”

The new duo achieved instant success, lifting the Indonesia Open GP Gold title in October 2010. They went on a three-title streak the next year, winning the India Open Superseries, the Malaysia Open GP Gold and the Singapore Open Superseries. This year they became only the second Indonesian pair – after Christian Hadinata and Imelda Wiguna in 1979 – to win the Mixed Doubles at the All England Superseries Premier (pictured right). The Swiss Open (GP Gold) and the India Open Superseries titles followed, giving them another hat-trick of major titles. They are now No.4 in the BWF rankings.

“Winning the All England title made me more confident with Tontowi,” said Natsir, who was previously ranked No.1 with Widianto. “I’m looking forward to the next big competition, the Olympics. I’m hoping to win the gold medal.”

Natsir is the senior partner in this new union. Given her experience in reading opponents and match situations, she is often seen instructing Ahmad who, for the most part, has lived up to expectations.

“With Nova, he had the experience and was the senior partner,” Lilayana observed. “But with Tontowi, I have to take charge as the senior.”

Having reached the Olympic final in Beijing, Natsir knows how tough the battle for the gold will be. Four years ago, she and Widianto fell to Koreans, Lee Yong Dae and Lee Hyo Jung, at the last hurdle. Natsir is not thinking that far ahead on this occasion, just contemplating their opening fixture.

“I want to think only about the first match. There’s a lot of pressure on us for the Olympics. Indonesians are looking to us to win the gold.”

Tontowi Ahmad nods affirmatively, well aware of the national anticipation building behind their Olympic campaign.

“This will be my first Olympic Games, so of course I’m nervous but looking at our results this year, especially at the All England, we’re confident we can do well.”

http://www.bwfbadminton.org/news_item.aspx?id=64705

GOLD please Lily

**Licin** · 07-23-2012, 10:30 PM

Draw for Towi/Butet.

London 2012 Olympic Games Draw: Mixed Doubles

Group A Zhang Nan / Zhao Yunlei (1) Alexandr Nikolaenko / Valeri Sorokina Michael Fuchs / Birgit Michels Chris Adcock / Imogen Bankier	Group B Joachim Fischer / Christinna Pedersen (4) Shintaro Ikeda / Shiota Reiko Toby Ng / Grace Gao Robert Mateusiak / Nadiezda Zieba
Group C Tontowi Ahmad / Liliyana Natsir (3) Thomas Laybourn / Kamilla Rytter Juhl Lee Yong Dae / Ha Jung Eun Viju D / Jwala Gutta	Group D Xu Chen / Ma Jin (2) S Prapakamol / S Thoungthongkam Chan Peng Soon / Goh Liu Ying Chen Hung Ling / Cheng Wan Hsing

* Source : http://www.bwfbadminton.org/news_item.aspx?id=64818

**Licin** · 08-02-2012, 01:10 AM

Towi/Butet will face Xu Chen/Ma Jin at 12:30 London Time. Hoping that in this Olympic Semi Final, they could beat Xu Chen/Ma Jin just like what they did on 2012 Ina-Premier Semi Final.

**dan92** · 08-02-2012, 08:00 AM

kaput. Now malaysia is doing better than indonesia. what a shame.

**drquick** · 08-02-2012, 08:05 AM

Originally Posted by Licin

Towi/Butet will face Xu Chen/Ma Jin at 12:30 London Time. Hoping that in this Olympic Semi Final, they could beat Xu Chen/Ma Jin just like what they did on 2012 Ina-Premier Semi Final.

And they lost the game... No GOLD for INA this year.
At least they have try the best and has prove that they are the best among INA shuttlers currently. Unfortunately they lost their focus at the first half of the 3rd set and when they try to back on their game the Chinesse pair already on their TOP performence who gave them no chance.

**Jagdpanther** · 08-02-2012, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by dan92

kaput. Now malaysia is doing better than indonesia. what a shame.

Bitter pills are sometimes the best medicine.
Our XD have done their best. It's just that their opponents played better than them. Way better.

I remember vaguely a line from The Dark Knight:
"The night is darkest just before the dawn. And the dawn is coming."

The moment you think that it's all over and give up, then it's indeed all over for us.
But I will not. I will keep believing that we can rise again. That is what I choose to believe.

**sen** · 08-02-2012, 04:21 PM

Quite sad that Lilyana did not a gold. Not sure if in 4 years time, she could still be at her best.

But I think there will be always be new stars.

**Licin** · 08-02-2012, 09:22 PM

Hopefully, PBSI will realize that their Towi/Butet lost in the Semis is not caused mainly by technique or physical, mainly it is due to psychological aspect, of course it is in my opinion. PBSI will have to improve in this aspect to groom champion for the future which are not tough physically and complete in technique, but the player has to posses the spirit of a champion.

**drquick** · 08-03-2012, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by Licin

Hopefully, PBSI will realize that their Towi/Butet lost in the Semis is not caused mainly by technique or physical, mainly it is due to psychological aspect, of course it is in my opinion. PBSI will have to improve in this aspect to groom champion for the future which are not tough physically and complete in technique, but the player has to posses the spirit of a champion.

From what i observe for recent years I could agree with you. The problems of INA shuttlers are more on their psychological aspect. INA players are very vulnerable when they lead and can easily caught by their opponents, while when they're fell behind it's very unlikely they could catch up their opponents.

I think they should learn how to deal with pressure to the 2 Indonesian medals weightlifter Triyatno (silver) and Eko Yuli Irawan (bronze). I watch their contest and from what I saw they are very well deal with pressure. Eko Yuli looks in pain and hobble after do his C&J lift. Triyatno looks tremble and almost fell but manage to gave more strength and finally did his last winning silver lift.

**naistav** · 08-05-2012, 05:28 AM

Originally Posted by drquick

From what i observe for recent years I could agree with you. The problems of INA shuttlers are more on their psychological aspect. INA players are very vulnerable when they lead and can easily caught by their opponents, while when they're fell behind it's very unlikely they could catch up their opponents.

I think they should learn how to deal with pressure to the 2 Indonesian medals weightlifter Triyatno (silver) and Eko Yuli Irawan (bronze). I watch their contest and from what I saw they are very well deal with pressure. Eko Yuli looks in pain and hobble after do his C&J lift. Triyatno looks tremble and almost fell but manage to gave more strength and finally did his last winning silver lift.

With all respect and tribute to Triyatno and Eko Yuli, the pressure is different to Badminton which not comparable.
Weightlifter is a measurable sport while Badminton is more complex sport type.

**markuswair** · 08-05-2012, 01:08 PM

Well, I hafta say that Towi is the one to blame. Butet, albeit not in her peak performance, still managed to do tremendously tricky placing. Simultaneously, Towi conducted myriads of silly unforced errors, providing Thomas/Kamilla significant edge. Can't believe that a player of his caliber could have such a shameful mentality. Probably he should undergo harsh military training to shape and form tough mentality.

**markuswair** · 08-05-2012, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by markuswair

Well, I hafta say that Towi is the one to blame. Butet, albeit not in her peak performance, still managed to do tremendously tricky placing. Simultaneously, Towi conducted myriads of silly unforced errors, providing Thomas/Kamilla significant edge. Can't believe that a player of his caliber could have such a shameful mentality. Probably he should undergo harsh military training to shape and form tough mentality.

*upss I mean Joachim/Christina

**drquick** · 08-07-2012, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by naistav

With all respect and tribute to Triyatno and Eko Yuli, the pressure is different to Badminton which not comparable.
Weightlifter is a measurable sport while Badminton is more complex sport type.

It's not about comparing the pressure between badminton and weightlifting athlets. For sure the badminton players especially Lily and Towi have much more pressure to deal with to maintain the Golden tradition of badminton in Olympic. What I mean is about how to keep focus and give 100% or more in the field.
I saw when Eko and Triyatno grab their medals and what I saw they were dealing well with the pressure from their opponents. I see how Eko have to deal with his pain that made him lame after he finish the lift. And for Triyatno in his last lift it is obvious that he was very near to fail his lift that he was all tremble during his lift from begining till last. According to the comentator Triyatno last lift was much more than his personal best record. The only thing I see that could made them did they lift is that they are mentally though and strong to deal with pressure.
But that's just me

**Licin** · 08-07-2012, 11:08 AM

In my honest opinion, Towi/Butet lost in the Semis against Xu Chen/Ma Jin are due to their inability to find a solution when situation goes against them. In addition, Towi/Butet are both really emotional and wants to play a fast game. XuChen/MaJin knew it really well, therefore both of them really like and try to delay serve. It takes too long for them to initiate a serve. This triggers Towi/Butet emotion, as usual when emotion involve, they will lost focus, thus executing many unforced errors which will soon be followed by losing their confidence and at the end, that was a disaster.