Written by Daniel Lane (via Australian Olympic Committee)
It’s as much the laughs as the answers when they’re asked questions about one another, that provide a great insight into the bond driving Angela Yu and Setyana Mapasa, the Australian Olympic women’s doubles badminton team.
Mapasa, 28, a Tokyo Olympian, came out of retirement to have a crack at qualifying for Paris, Yu, 21, earmarked Los Angeles as her moment to shine.
However, Yu’s plan changed following a phone call from national coach, Leanne Choo, who pinpointed the pair as being capable of providing Australia with an X-factor. After 12 months they’ve proved her right by:
- Winning their first three tournaments together
- Attaining the world No.26 ranking
- Being ranked No.10 on the prestigious HSBC circuit
- Winning the National title and Oceania crown
- Gaining selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games
The pair showed plenty of Aussie spirit in their hard-fought loss to world No.3 ranked Japan in the opening match of their Paris Games campaign.
But when put on the spot to answer questions about one another, there were more giggles than words as the pair laughed like kookaburras at dawn.
Q & A:
Angela, what’s Setyana’s favourite song?
[Laughter] It’s . . . Sunny Day [laughs]
Setyana, what’s Angela’s top song?
[Giggles] Miss Independent.
When’s Setyana’s birthday?
[Laughs] August 25? [giggles when told it’s August 15].
When’s Angela’s birthday, Setyana?
One second [laughs as she grabs her mobile phone].
What’s Setyana’s favourite dish?
[Shrieks] The white thing from Malaysia . . . rice cake!
Angela’s dish?
[Giggles] Steamed chicken.
Setyana’s favourite movie or TV show?
[Laughter] Cooking documentaries.
Angela’s?
KOREAN DRAMA! [biggest burst of laughter yet].
“That’s very, very wrong!” shrieked Yu, at the ‘misinformation’, but her answer for the right genre was muffled by both of their laughter.
Yet, the hijinks don’t reflect the seriousness in which the pair compete.
In the 12 months since they were paired their ascent has been as rapid as it is stunning, their next challenge is against Korea at the Port de La Chapelle Arena.
Choo, a two-time Olympian who finished fifth in the doubles with her playing partner Renuga Veeran at the 2012 London Olympics, said the pair made compelling cases to be paired.
“Setyana made a comeback because while she’d retired after Tokyo, from talking to her it was obvious she still loved the sport,” said Choo.
“We couldn’t have someone of her quality not being included at the national level.
“Angela was playing with someone who wasn’t as complimentary – her style is very powerful; very consistent. Setyana is extremely creative on the court, and when I thought about it, I figured ‘this could be a dynamite combination’.
Her belief has been vindicated.
“It’s been reassuring to know it was a good decision,’” said Choo.
“We’re thrilled with how well they’ve done. It’s been a case of a lot of learning and growing. And there were some teething problems, but there are things you always need to work through.”
But they’re different. For instance, while Yu says she’s surprised by how fast they’ve gelled, Mapasa isn’t. If there’s something they do agree upon, it’s they’ll fight for one another.
“Something in our favour is we solve any problems,” said Yu. “We can get frustrated with one another, and that’s because the partnership is evolving. We’re learning things about ourselves– and that can be hard for the other person.
“But we work hard; support one another, play for each other. If things aren’t working, we help each other.”
That’s a view Mapasa endorsed.
“I can play my best because I know Angela will cover me,” she said. “I know she has my back, I have hers – always.”
Choo, said her main message to the pair as they prepare for their next match, is remember that they are the underdogs and to frame pressure differently in their minds.
“If you ask yourself where pressure come from, you’ll most likely say it’s from the expectations of others or outcomes,” she said.
“You can’t control what anyone expects from you or the outcome, only you can control what you expect of yourself. Only you hold that power. Control what you can control and that is always giving your 100 percent.”
