Bangkok, 11 December 2025 – Making her SEA Games debut, 19-year-old Ni Kadek Dhinda Amartya Pratiwi shocked the tournament by defeating Vietnam’s top player Nguyen Thuy Linh, advancing to the quarter-finals in a stunning upset.
SEA Games 33 witnessed a major surprise at the women’s singles badminton event when 19-year-old Indonesian newcomer Ni Kadek Dhinda Amartya Pratiwi came from behind to defeat Vietnam’s number-one player, world No.22 Nguyen Thuy Linh. Despite being heavily favoured and showing composure to win the first game 21–16, Thuy Linh struggled to maintain momentum, ultimately losing 20–22 and 14–21 in the following two games. The result sent the experienced Vietnamese player out of the competition earlier than expected.
For Pratiwi, ranked 82nd in the world, this victory marked a breakthrough moment on her SEA Games debut. The young Indonesian talent showed impressive resilience, tactical adjustment, and mental strength to overturn the match against a much higher-ranked opponent. Speaking after the win, Pratiwi expressed gratitude to those supporting her journey, saying: “I want to thank my parents, my coach, the support team, and all the fans. This is my first SEA Games appearance, and also my first time facing Thuy Linh.”
The 19-year-old admitted she entered the match under mental pressure, determined to prove she could compete at the highest level. “I was nervous because I really wanted to win,” she said. “I wanted to show that I am capable. Even though this is my first SEA Games, I proved that I can win and go further.”
Pratiwi acknowledged her mistakes in the opening game, particularly when she squandered a lead and allowed Thuy Linh to score nine straight points. She revealed that her initial fear of prolonged rallies caused her to rush into constant attacks, afraid the Vietnamese star would capitalize with sharp cross-court shots or deceptive drop shots. “In game one, my strategy was right, but I attacked too aggressively because I was afraid of long rallies,” she explained.
The turning point came during the break between games, when her coach encouraged her to trust her stamina and stick to longer exchanges. “My coach told me: ‘Don’t worry, extend the rally, you’re strong enough.’ When I did that in games two and three, I realized Thuy Linh’s drops could be anticipated. The things I feared were not as difficult as I imagined—my mindset was the real issue.”
With this victory, Ni Kadek Dhinda Amartya Pratiwi advances to the quarter-finals, marking an impressive debut and establishing herself as one of the rising stars to watch at SEA Games 33. Meanwhile, Thuy Linh’s early exit is a disappointment for Vietnamese badminton, as she had been seen as one of the nation’s strongest medal hopes in the women’s singles event.
Thanh Tam
Leave a Reply