Confidence helps Rony oust seeded Wong<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Confidence can be a very powerful weapon for a
\nshuttler facing off against a higher-ranked opponent.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's Rony Agustinus proved this on Friday, with his
\nself-confidence raising the level of his play to the point where
\nhe was able to overcome second seed Wong Choon Hann of Malaysia.<\/p>\n
\"I was sure that I would win the match. If I didn't have such
\nconfidence, I wouldn't win any of my matches,\" he said during a
\npostmatch media conference.<\/p>\n
\"I'm also thinking about winning the event, although it's
\npossible that I may not be the champion at all. After all, being
\nsure about yourself is the most important thing,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Rony said he was happy with his victory over Wong, as it
\nsettled a score with the Malaysian.<\/p>\n
\"It improves my head-to-head record against Wong to one and
\ntwo. Earlier, he beat me at the 1999 Bandar Seri Begawan SEA
\nGames and the 1998 Malaysian Open,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Born in Jakarta on Oct. 7, 1978, Rony began to play badminton
\nat the age of six and is currently a member of the Suryanaga
\nGudang Garam badminton club. His best finish to date was the
\nsemifinals at the 1998 French Open and the 1999 Sea Games.<\/p>\n
When asked how he handled Wong, Rony said he took the
\ninitiative and attacked first, before Wong could go on the
\noffensive.<\/p>\n
\"I had to attack him first aggressively, although I'm more of
\na defensive player. But I had no other choice than to press my
\ngame,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"In the first game, I was kind of lulled by Wong's play
\nbecause I haven't met him for quite a long time now. Once I got
\nin tune, I started to attack,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also noted that Wong did not seem to be at the top of his
\ngame, not playing like the event's second seed.<\/p>\n
\"Wong had to live up to his status as a seeded shuttler, which
\nwas more or less a burden for him. On the other hand, I had
\nnothing to lose, so I was able to play more freely.<\/p>\n
\"For me, my initial target was only to play my best and not to
\nlet down my coaches with my performance,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Rony is slated to meet compatriot Marleve Mainaky in the
\nsemifinals, and again showed that confidence that has carried him
\nthis far.<\/p>\n
\"I will continue with my offensive play against Marleve. I
\nhave never met him in an event, only in training. But you can't
\ngo by the results of practice sessions to judge your opponent.
\nThere's a very big difference,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"I'm sure I can beat Marleve, but let's see tomorrow,\" Rony
\nadded with a smile. (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/confidence-helps-rony-oust-seeded-wong-1447893297",
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