It shows that I am not only recognized in Indonesia but also on the international stage.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Former Indonesian badminton player Liliyana Natsir was inducted into the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Hall of Fame, with the award presented to honor the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics gold winner's dedication during her career.

The award was presented by Deputy Chair of the Marketing Committee of BWF Bambang Rudy Roedyanto during a ceremony at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, on Saturday, on the sidelines of the implementation of the Indonesia Open 2022.

Natsir -- nicknamed Butet -- became the 10th Indonesian athlete to receive the Hall of Fame award as well as the second female athlete of the country to be bestowed the award after Susy Susanti.

"The award is very meaningful for me since it shows that I am not only recognized in Indonesia but also on the international stage. Although I have retired, I am still appreciated," she remarked.

She expects that the achievement can motivate young athletes to continue to compete and make the country proud.

Furthermore, Natsir spoke of having expected her former partner in the mixed doubles event of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Tontowi Ahmad, to also be bestowed the award on the same occasion.

However, the awarding ceremony was held only for her and former Chinese badminton player Zhao Yunlei.

"I do not know, maybe I will be (awarded) first, while Owi (Ahmad’s nickname) will be (awarded) later," Natsir stated.

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Throughout her 33-year-long career as a badminton player, which included her 13-year experience as a national team player, she had won four world championship titles in the mixed doubles event with two different partners: Nova Widianto and Tontowi Ahmad.

Natsir reached the top of her career when she bagged a gold medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with Tontowi Ahmad.

Natsir announced her retirement at the 2019 Indonesia Masters held in Istora Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta.

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Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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