BANYUWANGI – Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (23), badminton athlete from Sumberberas Village, Muncar District, Banyuwangi Regency has succeeded in adding to the list of gold medals for Indonesia in the Asian Games 2018.
In the final match at Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday (28/8/2018), Kevin, who partnered with Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, managed to beat his opponent from the Indonesian team, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto with a rubber game 13-21, 21-18, and 24-22.
Sugiharto Sukamuljo (58), Kevin's father, while accompanying his son to compete at Istora Senayan Jakarta, proud of his son's achievements. He judges, his son should be more active in practicing, after Kevin nearly lost with three match points against Fajar and Alfian in the Asian Games final.
“Saat ini lawan-lawannya banyak yang menyoroti Kevin, automatically made him have to train harder,” ujar Sugiharto saat dihubungi melalui seluler, Wednesday (29/8/2018).
“Tidak boleh meremehkan lawan, must keep fighting, That's what I always tell Kevin, even if the enemy is not a seed,he explained.
The message is also often delivered over the phone, when Kevin competed in the final of the prestigious All England championship 2017 against the men's doubles badminton from China. During the match, Sugiharto and his wife Winartin Niawati continued to pray that their son would win and make Indonesia proud.
“Waktu All England, I saw it on television with my wife. It turned out that my son could win. I immediately prostrated my gratitude and my wife cried because of happiness,” ujar Sugiharto.
So far, Kevin has won several championships starting at the sub-district level, regency, national, Asia and Europe. Even, Kevin won the championship 7 times in the Super Series event in a year 2017, from All England, Indian Open, Malaysia Open, Japan Open, China Open and Hong Kong Open.
“Mulai SD kelas satu sampai enam Kevin rutin dapat juara satu tingkat kecamatan. If you play in Asian countries, all of them have. Europe has too, only America has not," he said.
Meanwhile, Kevin's neighbor, Sofyan Arifianto (27) who live in the same RT and RW in Sumberayu Hamlet feel proud of the achievements of their neighbors. “Sebagai tetangga saya bangga, Yesterday I saw him on television. So remember when he was still in his 10s, I often see Kevin practicing on the badminton court near my house,Sofyan said.
According to Sofyan, Kevin is a very quiet child. Every exercise, Kevin is often accompanied by his father, Sugiharto. “Anaknya pendiam, so quiet. Often practice at home, brought by his father. He also often went to Jember to practice when he was little,” kata pria yang tinggal di kawasan Pasar Tradisional Sumberayu ini.
Sugiharto once showed hundreds of charters, the medals and trophies that Kevin ever won when he was found at his house, Wednesday (15/3/2017).
“Kevin memang tergolong anak yang disiplin. Since childhood, when it's time to practice he will diligently leave, without having to be told even though there are friends who are playing at his house,he explained.
