Tunjung: Champion Signals Her Arrival
A delectable exhibition of deceptive badminton for the purists to delight in; a first HSBC BWF World Tour Super 500 title for Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.
· DEV SUKUMAR
With her Kumamoto Masters Japan 2023 victory over Chen Yu Fei, Tunjung became the first Indonesian women’s singles player to win a title of this level since the advent of the Superseries in 2007. Just as significantly, it signalled that the gifted competitor is now a genuine title contender at the highest level. Time will tell if she can win the big titles consistently, but for now the signs are good.
The surprise was that it had taken her so long, for Tunjung has always had the skill. But with frequent first or second round exits through her first few years at the elite level, the question was of physicality and consistency and doggedness, in maintaining a high level not only throughout a match, but throughout a tournament. That is an aspect she has become increasingly better at over the last few months – and when she’d finally nailed the Super 500 title, there were no exaggerated emotions, just quiet celebration. It was as if she already knew she belonged.
The turnaround was first evident last June, when she beat Akane Yamaguchi in the first round of the Malaysia Open and repeated that performance the next week at the Malaysia Masters, where she made the semifinals.