Olympic Gold Medal in Badminton Boosts Indonesia's Position in Medals Tabla

Rio de Janeiro, (Antara) - Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir won a gold medal in the badminton mixed doubles final on the 12th day of Rio 2016 Olympics, lifting Indonesia from 56th to 39th position in the medals table, Wednesday.

Having won a gold and two silver medals in the Olympic Games, so far, Indonesia is currently ranked higher than its neighbors --- Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Vietnam --- but is still behind Thailand that has won two gold medals.

The youth and sports ministry is expected to give bonuses to the Olympic medalists.

"It is being processed. Hopefully, within three weeks, the bonuses will be ready, as there are procedures that have to be followed," Gatot S. Dewa Broto, deputy of the youth and sports minister, stated in Jakarta, Thursday.

The ministry has promised a reward of Rp5 billion for each gold medalist and Rp2 billion for each silver medalist.

Tontowi and Liliyana will receive Rp5 billion each, for winning a gold medal after defeating Malaysian pair, Chan Peng Soo and Goh Lie Ying in straight games, 21-14 and 21-12.

Tontowi noted that the gold medal is a gift for the nation on its Independence Day.

Two Indonesian weightlifters, who won silver medals, will receive Rp2 billion each.

Moreover, the Indonesian Weightlifting and Body Building Association will give a house each to the silver medalists.

Youth and Sports Minister Imam Nahrawi, his deputy, Gatot S. Dewa Broto, Head of the ministry's Public Relations Department Agus Prayitno, and Head of the Public Relations and Legal Affairs Bureau Amar Ahmad cut their hair after Indonesia grabbed the gold medal as a mark of their happiness and gratitude.

"After waiting for eight years, finally, we are able to win another gold medal. Therefore, we are grateful for this achievement," Minister Nahrawi, who also cut his mustaches, remarked.

In the meantime, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has lauded Indonesian shuttlers Tontowi and Liliyana for winning the country's first gold medal in the badminton mixed doubles final at the 31st Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"Finally, we heard Indonesia Raya (Indonesian national anthem) at the Rio 2016 Olympics," Jokowi tweeted on his Twitter account, early Thursday.

"Gold medal from Tontowi Ahmad & Lilyana Natsir. Congratulations! - Jkw," he tweeted.(*)