The Megawati Phenomenon in the Korean Volleyball League Causes Jealousy of the Red Sparks
- The performance of Indonesian women's volleyball player, Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi, has been very impressive so far in her first season of her career in the Womens Korean Volleyball League.
Megawati, who plays for Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks, is able to compete against many other best players who are competing against each other in the Korean Volleyball League this season.
No doubt, the athlete from Jember, East Java is one of the list of prominent foreign players from Asia.
The situation is also quite tricky for Red Sparks. Because their success in obtaining Megawati's services caused jealousy from a number of rival clubs, according to a report by Sport Donga.
The latest photo of Red Sparks, Megawati Hangestri posing with her back showing off her back number, is proof of continuing the tradition. (Instagram @red__sparks)
This cannot be separated from Megawati's slick performance, who, despite being an Asian foreign legion, is able to compete with famous names such as Gyselle Silva to Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani.
Mega immediately won the best player award in the first round by recording the second highest success rate with 48.46 percent.
However, he experienced a decline in performance in the second and third rounds.
However, he was able to recover to help his team Daejeon JungKwanJang Red Sparks in the fourth round with four wins.
This record also puts the Red Sparks on the right track with fourth place to realize their mission of qualifying for the semifinals of the play-offs.
Regarding individual records, Mega has collected 504 points and is in seventh place on the top score list. However, this volleyball player nicknamed Megatron chose to be humble.
"I'm also an ordinary person, so there are definitely ups and downs," said Mega.
"After the first half, I had difficulty adjusting to the faster balls from the setters."
"But I don't feel any pressure."
"Now I just want to be known for my abilities, not just for wearing the hijab," Megawati added.
Apart from that, most clubs also feel jealous of the Red Sparks because they are considered lucky to be able to recruit the 24 year old athlete. How could it not be? Mega's performance so far has had a big influence on the revision of salary increases for Asian foreign players.
The Korean Volleyball Federation (KOVO) increased the fee for foreign players from Asia from previously 100,000 US dollars or the equivalent of 1.5 billion rupiah to 120,000 US dollars or reaching 1.9 billion rupiah in its first year.
Then in the second year, the annual salary of Asian Quarter players reached 150,000 US dollars (including tax) or around 2.37 billion rupiah.
Even so, Mega's competition is also increasing because KOVO will expand the selection quota for Asian players to the 64 countries registered in the AVC.
However, this actually makes Mega feel more challenged because she has to compete with many Asian players to continue her career in the Korean Volleyball League next season.
If you look at the performances in the AVC Cup and VNL (Volleyball Nations League), the abilities of the Asian players are no less than the players in Europe," said Mega.
"The more players who enter the V-League, the more things there will be to see," he said. Mega himself just got a one-season contract with Daejeon Jung Kwan Jang Red Sparks.
Fenomena Megawati di Liga Voli Korea Timbulkan Kecemburuan kepada Red Sparks
- Performa pevoli putri Indonesia, Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi, sejauh ini sangat mengesankan pada musim pertamanya berkarier di Liga Voli Korea Wanita.
Megawati yang memperkuat Daejeon JungKwanJang Red Sparks, mampu bersaing dari banyak pemain terbaik lainnya yang saling adu kekuatan di Liga Voli Korea musim ini.
Tak ayal, atlet asal Jember, Jawa Timur itu merupakan salah satu daftar pemain asing asal Asia yang menonjol.
Situasinya pun terbilang tricky bagi Red Sparks. Karena keberhasilan mereka mendapatkan jasa Megawati menimbulkan kecemburuan dari sejumlah klub pesaing, menurut laporan Sport Donga.
Foto terbaru Red Sparks, Megawati Hangestri pose balik badan pamer nomor punggung jadi bukti lanjutkan tradisi. (Instagram @red__sparks)
Hal ini tidak terlepas kepada performa apik Megawati, yang meskipun merupakan legiun asing Asia, mampu bersaing dengan nama-nama beken seperti Gyselle Silva hingga Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani.
Mega langsung menyabet penghargaan pemain terbaik pada putaran pertama dengan membukukan catatan tingkat keberhasilan tertinggi kedua dengan 48,46 persen.
Namun dia sempat mengalami penurunan performa pada putaran kedua dan ketiga.
Namun dia mampu bangkit untuk membantu timnya Daejeon JungKwanJang Red Sparks pada putaran keempat dengan raihan empat kemenangan.
Catatan tersebut juga membuat posisi Red Sparks berada di jalur yang tepat dengan peringkat empat untuk mewujudkan misi lolos ke babak semifinal play-off.
Soal catatan individu, Mega sudah mengoleksi 504 poin dan bertengger di peringkat ketujuh daftar top skor. Meski demikian, pevoli berjuluk Megatron ini memilih merendah.
"Saya juga manusia biasa, jadi pasti ada pasang surutnya," kata Mega.
"Setelah babak pertama, saya mengalami kesulitan untuk menyesuaikan diri dengan bola-bola yang lebih cepat dari para setter."
"Tapi saya tidak merasakan tekanan apa pun."
"Sekarang saya hanya ingin dikenal karena kemampuan saya, bukan hanya karena mengenakan hijab," ujar Megawati menambahkan.
Selain itu sebagian besar klub juga merasa iri terhadap Red Sparks karena dinilai beruntung bisa merekrut atlet berusia 24 tahun itu.
Bagaimana tidak?, penampilan Mega sejauh ini memberikan pengaruh yang besar terhadap revisi kenaikan gaji pemain asing Asia.
Federasi Bola Voli Korea (KOVO) menaikkan bayaran pemain asing asal Asia dari yang sebelumnya sebesar 100.000 dolar AS atau setara 1,5 miliar rupiah menjadi 120.00 dolar AS atau menyentuh angka 1,9 miliar rupiah pada tahun pertamanya.
Kemudian pada tahun kedua, gaji tahunan pemain Asian Quarter mencapai 150.000 dolar AS (termasuk pajak) atau sekitar 2,37 miliar rupiah.
Meski begitu, saingan Mega juga bertambah karena KOVO akan memperluas seleksi kuota pemain Asia ke 64 negara yang terdaftar dalam AVC.
Namun hal itu justru membuat Mega merasa lebih tertantang karena ia harus bersaing dengan banyak pemain Asia untuk tetap berkarier pada Liga Voli Korea musim depan.
"Jika melihat penampilan di AVC Cup dan VNL (Volleyball Nations League), kemampuan para pemain Asia tidak kalah dengan pemain-pemain di Eropa," ucap Mega.
"Semakin banyak pemain yang masuk ke V-League, akan semakin banyak hal yang bisa dilihat," ujarnya.
Mega sendiri baru mendapatkan kontrak satu musim bersama Daejeon JungKwanJang Red Sparks.