Silvi to let her future goals mature with time
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): For 17-year-old Silvi Antarini, who has just won her first singles title this year at the Milo Junior Indonesia Open, life is like a river flowing quietly but is destined to reach its ultimate destination: the ocean.
Talking to The Jakarta Post during the junior badminton championships at Bhinneka sports hall here last week, Silvi said she would let time take its own course in reaching her dream of becoming the country's best, and refused to set any time frame for the ambition.
"It will hurt me so much if I fail to fulfill my goal of becoming the best. Especially since I have to improve my skills first," she said.
Her sports-loving father taught her that strong will and persistence will eventually take her to her fate.
"Of course, I want to be the best soon. But for the time being, I will just let it flow and do my best. I hope I can combine Chinese Gong Zhichao's agility and persistence with Dane Camilla Martin's fast attack when the time comes," she added, referring to two of the most powerful women's singles shuttlers.
Silvi, who is now training at the Indonesian Badminton Center (PBI) in Cipayung, East Jakarta, defeated teammate Dewi Tira in the exhausting final match 8-11, 11-2, 11-5 on Saturday. The match also demonstrated her outstanding physical stamina.
Silvi's short-term training agenda will include improving her technical skills and maintaining physical fitness.
"I know that my skills are still below those of Dewi but this has motivated me to do my best within my limits.
"My family, especially my father, always remind me to be confident of my own abilities. He said I could win the match if I had enough willpower," said Silvi.
Silvi started playing badminton at the age of six when she accompanied her father to his training session.
The second-youngest of IG Made Sumandra and Asni Anggraini's four children said that she preferred using rallies and lobs to make up for her powerless smashes in winning a point.
"My smash is not so fast and my opponents can return it easily. That's why I prefer to drain my opponents' stamina through long rallies," she said.
She attributed her vigor to her karate training and regular swimming. She holds a brown belt from the INKAI karate school.
"I earned the degree when I was about 12 or 13 years old. It was my father who introduced me to karate and taught me. Now he is a second dan and a black belt degree holder," said Silvi.
Silvi's list of titles include grabbing the girl's singles titles at last year's Jakarta Open, SGS circuit in Bandung and Surabaya Cup in Surabaya, East Java.
She also participated in the 2000 World Junior Championships in Guangzhou, China, and the 2000 Asian Junior Championships in Japan. (nvn)