EXCLUSIVE | Apriyani Opens Up About the Weight of Olympic Gold and Paris Disappointment

Fogen Bolung
21 Jan 2025
01:25

Apriyani Rahayu never imagined her journey would make her one of Indonesia’s badminton greats. Yet, behind the glory of winning gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics alongside Greysia Polii, Apriyani admits the monumental achievement came with an immense burden, especially after falling short of expectations at the Paris Olympics.

APRIYANI Rahayu
Apriyani Rahayu, exclusively for Telecom Asia Sport
After Tokyo, the pressure was definitely there. That pressure clouded my judgment, especially with a new partner. What happened in Tokyo was over, but the expectations lingered. I had to learn to accept that this is a different process with a different person.

For Apriyani, the biggest challenge wasn’t just the competition itself but also the overwhelming public expectations. The Tokyo gold turned her into a national hero, yet it also made her a target for criticism when results didn’t meet expectations. 

Apriyani Rahayu
As athletes, we always give our best for ourselves and the nation. But when things don’t go well, we often get torn apart.
Apriyani Rahayu

Even so, Apriyani holds no regrets about her journey. A nagging injury before the Paris Olympics was one of the reasons her preparation fell short. 

Apriyani Rahayu
I first got injured at the Asian Games. Just three weeks after that, I was already trying to recover and regain my form, but it wasn’t enough to prepare properly for the Olympics.

In difficult moments like these, her connection with her coach and new partner, Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, became a lifeline.

Apriyani Rahayu
My coach always reminded me that I couldn’t avoid people’s expectations. All I could do was face it and embrace the process.

Apriyani’s fighting spirit on the court has deep roots in her challenging childhood. Born into a modest family in Southeast Sulawesi, she learned the value of hard work early in life. 

Apriyani Rahayu
Back then, my pocket money in elementary school came from selling vegetables. I’d pick plants from our backyard, bag them up, sell them before school, and give the money to my parents.

These early struggles, Apriyani believes, became the foundation of her resilience. 

Apriyani Rahayu
Sometimes, when I feel like giving up, I think back to those days. If I could endure that, why can’t I endure this?
Apriyani Rahayu

Despite briefly contemplating retirement after the disappointment in Paris, Apriyani found her motivation again. 

Apriyani Rahayu
I told myself, ‘Don’t give up. Keep fighting.’ If I gave up now, what would all that hard work mean?

Apriyani’s career as a women’s doubles specialist is a testament to relentless dedication. Beyond her Olympic gold, she has collected medals from top-tier tournaments, including bronze at the 2018 and 2019 World Championships and silver at the 2023 edition. Yet for Apriyani, these medals are more than achievements; they are milestones that symbolize her struggles and the lessons she’s learned with her partners along the way.

Apriyani Rahayu
I never imagined reaching this point. All the challenges, from childhood to now, have taught me to stay grounded. Whatever happens, I truly believe that no effort goes to waste.

From the small roads of her hometown to the grandest international podiums, Apriyani Rahayu’s story is one of unyielding resilience and inspiration, proving that the human spirit knows no limits.

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