New Bachelors on Team Indonesia

Left to right: Yul Asteria Zakaria, Bona Septano S.E., Pia Zebadiah Bernadette S.E., Markis Kido © Ira Ratnati

Jakarta – Markis Kido, Olympic gold medallist, had another fun moment. After his wedding last month, yesterday Kido’s little brother and sister, Bona Septano and Pia Zebadiah Bernadette, finally made it through, passing all their exams to get their bachelor degrees.

Story and photo: Ira Ratnati for Badzine

Septano and Bernadette now officially have S.E. (Sarjana Ekonomi, a Bachelor’s degree in economics) behind their name. They graduated from STIE Mulia Pratama.

“It is pretty hard to study, and to chase another title on the court, but thank God finally we made it,” said Septano.

“We’ve finally made it and graduated from our college. We have a tight schedule, practicing badminton, and we still keep going to go to college, but yes, all this sacrifice has paid off. This is for our better future when we retire from the court,” added Bernadette.

On the other hand, Kido himself still struggles to get his own degree. “I’m trying hard to finish college myself, but my brother and sister completed it first.  I hope I can do the same later on,”

This entire thing happened with family support. Their mother, Yul Asteria Zakaria is the one who stands behind, and made it possible.

“As a mother, I encouraged my son and my daughter to study at the formal school.  I’m doing this because I want my kids to have a better education.  They cannot be badminton players forever.  I have to help them to prepare for what will happen after their careers end on the court, and I believe education will help them in the future, and now I am really proud to see them finish their school and set another title off the court,” Zakaria said.

Education for (alm) Djumharbey Anwar’s family is an important thing.  With three children creating history in badminton, Anwar and Zakaria’s oldest sister, Ika Novitaria Marani is chasing her doctoral degree at Universitas Negeri Jakarta.

And right now, the three athletes preparing themselves for the biggest sporting event in Southeast Asia, the SEA Games, which will be held in Jakarta, November 11-22.