The Minions are tired.
I wrote some gathered info about what’s going on around The Minions on their own thread, but some shortened version is here because it’s quite relevant:
These several days, some INA fans are suggesting that The Minions should shifted their concentration to BWC, some even said that they probably should ‘let IO and WTF go’ because of the lack of recovery time. Just several days after WTF + another long trip with its jetlag as well.
They’re so exhausted and for weeks Herry IP already said that Marcus/Kevin are so tired so he didn’t expect them to reach finals nor demand anything (but they somehow managed to, three times in a row). After the final yesterday, PBSI had a small appreciation event for the INA Thomas team, and a video phone caught a bit of Herry’s discussion with someone about The Minions (non verbatim): “But they bodies couldn’t… (inaudible words), their bodies are too exhausted.”
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Based on an interview with Kevin, WTF qualification is demanded by their sponsor(s) though, although I couldn’t remember if winning it is obligated or not. Plus it’s held in Indonesia. PBSI’s chairman publicly said that they have no target, but a PBSI personnel on Twitter hinted that there are actually pressures because the event is in Indonesia. And now, with the lack of INA representative for WTF (only Greysia-Apriyani and The Minions are qualified so far, and maybe 1 more MD and/or if possible, 1 XD), pressures to perform well are definitely huge.
And I don’t think they would just ‘let go’ and wouldn’t do the maximum they can. They’re just not the type. Especially because for the last few tournaments, they’re always be the last INA MD left (with other sectors were underperforming/ have physical problems to boot). But the on going exhaustion can cripple them just like in the Denmark Open.
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A hard year for them. Covid, lack of tournament for +1 year dull them, no warm-up matches with current international MDs before the OG, mental trauma after the Olympic, injuries (Kevin’s still recovering shoulder and knee injuries) and physical problems (e.g. Marcus’ legs, don’t know if it’s recurring or not), and after they started to regain their battle senses, too tired to maximize their performance. And tournaments held in INA are usually with fast hall (Istora), but the current Bali hall is very slow with slow shuttle too, which is tiring them more and troubling many players. Yet still burdened by big responsibilities because so far they still could deliver even when underperforming.
I actually think that if The Minions werein a little bit better condition (e.g. more rest), they could won the DIM final. I hope they can preserve their energy well and free from injuries.
Let’s see what will happen.
