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SEA Games: Indonesian volleyball player’s love-hate relationship with Philippines crowd
The antics of Indonesian indoor volleyball player I Putu Randu Wahyu Pradana captured the hearts of the Philippine crowd during the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games' men's team competition in the Philippines.
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Indonesian indoor volleyball team members pose after winning a gold medal during the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Philippines on Tuesday. (JP/Ramadani Saputra)
T
he crowd booing loudly inside the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, the Philippines, on Tuesday night, did not deter Indonesian volleyball player I Putu Randu Wahyu Pradana from playfully celebrating any point his team won.
After team Indonesia took a point sometimes he danced while grinning broadly and other times he made his signature gesture of spreading his hands. Both styles immediately prompted even more boos from the spectators.
However, after the match finished the crowd was shouting Randu’s name and demanding pictures. They seemed to have forgotten the fact that Randu and his teammate had just beaten the Philippines on its home turf to take gold in the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Commenting on his celebration style, Randu said it was “spontaneous” without any purpose of provoking the crowd.
“[I did it] to fire up me and the team,” said the Balinese player, who has competed in four SEA Games.
“In terms of mentality, we already won. We already knew the stadium would be full of home supporters as this was the final,” he added.
