Important Figure Who Started Megawati's Career From Becoming a Volleyball Athlete to Playing in the Korean League: Previously Not Interested
- Apparently, this was an important figure who opened Megawati's career as a volleyball athlete and was able to compete in the South Korean League.
Megawati Hangestri, reveals the important figure who succeeded in influencing her to pursue volleyball.
In an interview, Megawati Hangestri said that she used to like football more than volleyball.
However, because he received a reference from this important figure, he finally took part in volleyball training until he succeeded in breaking into the Korean League as he is now.
As is known, Megawati Hangestri is one of the most shining female volleyball players.
He admitted that he had to fight from the bottom until he finally broke through to the Proliga.
His persistence has led him to now play in the South Korean Volleyball League.
She immediately showed her shine during her debut season defending Daejeon JungKwanJang Red Sparks in the South Korean Women's Volleyball League.
Most recently, Megawati scored 19 points when the Red Sparks beat Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders 3-1 (25-23,25-22,25-27,25-23) in the continuation of the 2023-2024 South Korean Volleyball League, Saturday (24/2 /2024).
Red Sparks when competing with JungKwanJang Red Sparks in the South Korean Women's Volleyball League or Korean V-League 2023-2024. (Instagram/red__sparks)
This result made the Red Sparks record four consecutive wins while maintaining their chances of qualifying for the play-offs.
The Red Sparks are now in third place in the standings with a score of 53.
The Red Sparks' impressive run cannot be separated from the slick performance of Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi. Until the 31st match, aka the sixth round, Mega was Red Sparks' top scorer with a total of 660 points.
The 24 year old volleyball player beat her teammate from the United States, Giovanna "Gia" Milana, who scored 601 points.
It started with not liking volleyball
Of course, Megawati's success cannot be separated from her struggles.
He had to fight from the bottom until he finally succeeded in breaking into the South Korean Volleyball League.
In her interview with SPOTV Indonesia, Mega admitted that at first she didn't like volleyball.
This athlete, born in Jember, East Java, admitted that when he was a child he preferred to play football.
However, he changed direction after advice from his father.
Mega's father thinks that his daughter is more suitable for playing volleyball because she has a tall posture.
"I used to not like volleyball. I used to like soccer football. But because of my late father's recommendation and because I am tall, in the end I just decided to just play volleyball."
"But at the beginning I wasn't interested in volleyball. I didn't want to practice, I was lazy, like that. Because I didn't know at first. Then after a while I was happy (playing volleyball) because I had lots of friends," said Mega.
Mega's volleyball career began in junior tournaments and regional leagues.
In 2015, Mega was actually able to penetrate the Proliga, but he was not yet a core player. After that, he appeared at Livoli with the Bank Jatim women's team.
"(Playing volleyball) professionally since 2015, if I'm not mistaken. Of course it was from the bottom, from junior competitions and regional leagues. After that I joined Livoli."
"Because I joined Bank Jatim, from there I joined Livoli and was monitored because maybe I had talent and was tall. From there, I finally tried it in Proliga. But I haven't played in Proliga yet," said Mega.
Megawati's great potential began to be seen when she was called up by the Indonesian women's national volleyball team for the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
At that time, Mega had the status of a junior player and gained the coach's trust and was trusted to appear as a starter.
He also helped the Indonesian women's volleyball team win a silver medal.
"In 2017, the Proliga was on hiatus because I was still in high school. Finally, in 2017, the SEA Games were called. At the SEA Games, it was at its peak, it went up. Skills had started to match the senior players.
"But when we were first called up to the SEA Games team, we were doubtful, pessimistic, that we would be dropped. Because everyone was senior, I was the only junior there.
"Entering the line-up, then being able to play first in the semifinals. Maybe from there his talent will increase. Indonesia won silver after 20 years. Proud to be able to do that. Making history at last," explained Mega.
Megawati has always been part of the Indonesian women's volleyball team at the 2019 (Philippines), 2021 (Vietnam) and 2023 (Cambodia) SEA Games.
On three occasions, Megawati helped the Indonesian women's national volleyball team win bronze.
Sosok Penting yang Buka Karier Megawati Jadi Atlet Voli hingga Main di Liga Korea: Dulu Tak Tertarik
- Ternyata, ini adalah sosok penting yang membuka karier Megawati jadi atlet voli hingga bisa berlaga di Liga Korea Selatan.
Megawati Hangestri, membongkar sosok penting yang berhasil mempengaruhinya untuk menekuni voli.
Dalam sebuah wawancara, Megawati Hangestri mengatakan bahwa dia dulunya lebih menyukai sepak bola daripada voli.
Namun, karena mendapat referensi dari sosok penting ini, dia akhirnya mengikuti latihan voli hingga berhasil menembus Liga Korea seperti sekarang.
Sebagaimana diketahui, Megawati Hangestri menjadi salah satu pevoli putri yang paling bersinar.
Ia mengaku harus berjuang dari bawah hingga akhirnya bisa tembus Proliga.
Kegigihannya pun membawa ia kini bermain di Liga Voli Korea Selatan.
Ia langsung menunjukkan sinarnya saat musim debut membela Daejeon JungKwanJang Red Sparks di Liga Voli Putri Korea Selatan.
Terbaru, Megawati mencetak 19 poin ketika Red Sparks mengalahkan Incheon Heungkuk Life Pink Spiders 3-1 (25-23,25-22,25-27,25-23) pada lanjutan Liga Voli Korea Selatan 2023-2024, Sabtu (24/2/2024).
Red Sparks saat bertanding bersama JungKwanJang Red Sparks pada Liga Voli Putri Korea Selatan atau Korean V-League 2023-2024. (Instagram/red__sparks)
Hasil itu membuat Red Sparks membukukan empat kemenangan beruntun sekaligus menjaga peluang lolos play-off.
Adapun Red Sparks kini menempati peringkat ketiga klasemen dengan nilai 53.
Laju impresif Red Sparks itu tidak lepas dari penampilan apik Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi. Hingga pertandingan ke-31 alias putaran keenam, Mega menjadi top skor Red Sparks dengan total 660 poin.
Pevoli berusia 24 tahun itu mengungguli rekan setimnya asal Amerika Serikat, Giovanna "Gia" Milana, yang mengemas 601 poin.
Berawal dari tidak suka voli
Tentu saja kesuksesan Megawati ini tak lepas dari perjuangan-perjuangannya.
Ia harus berjaung dari bawah hingga akhirnya sukses menembus Liga Voli Korea Selatan.
Dalam wawanacaranya dengan SPOTV Indonesia, Mega mengaku awalnya ia tidak suka bola voli.
Altet kelahiran Jember, Jawa Timur ini mengaku ketika masih anak-anak lebih suka bermain sepak bola.
Akan tetapi, ia pindah haluan setelah saran dari sang ayah.
Ayah Mega menilai sang putri lebih cocok bermain voli karena memiliki postur tinggi.
"Saya dulunya tidak suka voli. Saya dulu suka sepak bola. Tapi karena almarhum ayah rekomendasi dan karena saya tinggi, jadi akhirnya saya mending voli saja."
"Tapi awal voli juga tidak tertarik. Tidak mau latihan, malas, kayak gitu. Karena awal tidak tahu. Terus lama-lama senang juga (bermain voli) karena banyak temannya," tutur Mega.
Karier voli Mega pun berawal dari turnamen junior dan liga-liga daerah.
Pada 2015, Mega sebenarnya mampu menembus Proliga, tetapi ia belum menjadi pemain inti. Setelah itu, ia tampil di Livoli bersama tim putri Bank Jatim.
"(Bermain voli) profesional dari 2015 kalau tidak salah. Pastinya itu dari bawah, dari ada kompetisi junior dan liga-liga daerah. Setelah itu masuk Livoli."
"Karena saya ikut Bank Jatim dari situ saya ikut Livoli dan dipantau karena mungkin saya ada bakat dan tinggi. Dari situ akhirnya dicoba di Proliga. Tetapi di Proliga belum main," kata Mega.
Potensi besar Megawati pun mulai terlihat saat dipanggil timnas voli putri Indonesia untuk SEA Games 2017 di Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Saat itu, Mega berstatus pemain junior mendapatkan kepercayaan pelatih dan dipercaya tampil sebagai starter.
Ia pun membantu tim voli putri Indonesia meraih medali perak.
"2017 vakum Proliga karena masih SMA. Akhirnya 2017 kepanggil SEA Games. Di SEA Games itu puncaknya, naik. Skill sudah mulai mengimbangi pemain-pemain senior.
"Tapi pada awal dipanggil tim SEA Games sempat ragu, pesimis, akan dicoret. Karena memang senior semua, saya saja yang junior di situ.
"Masuk line-up, lalu bisa main inti waktu semifinal. Mungkin dari situ bakatnya naik. Indonesia dapat perak setelah 20 tahun. Bangga ternyata bisa seperti itu. Mengukir sejarah akhirnya," beber Mega.
Megawati lantas selalu menjadi bagian dari tim voli putri Indonesia pada SEA Games 2019 (Filipina), 2021 (Vietnam), dan 2023 (Kamboja).
Pada tiga kesempatan itu, Megawati turut membantu timnas voli putri Indonesia meraih perunggu.
Pevoli Indonesia yang membela Daejeon Red Sparks, Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi (c) Daejeon Red Sparks