Badminton star Taufik pulls a Cantona<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesia's badminton star Taufik Hidayat added more shame to his
\ntroubled career as he literally beat a provoking spectator -- in
\na move reminiscent of former Manchester United star Eric
\nCantona's famous karate kick -- during his men's singles match at
\nthe 2001 National Badminton Championships here on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Representing West Java, Taufik was leading Edi Santoso of
\nCentral Java 6-2 in the second game when the incident halted the
\nsecond-round match.<\/p>\n
Both players had been involved in a heated argument over
\nplaying etiquette after Edi refused to take the shuttlecock he
\nwas supposed to after failing a return. The shuttlecock dropped
\nin Taufik's court almost directly under the net.<\/p>\n
Only after both the umpire and referee Julius Tetelepta
\nintervened, Edi picked up the shuttlecock in disgust.<\/p>\n
Both shuttlers then took a timeout to drink, and suddenly one
\nof the spectators at Bung Karno Badminton Stadium shouted some
\nunsavory phraseology at Taufik. Shocked by what he heard, Taufik
\nglared into the stands and challenged the perpetrators to step
\ndown to the court.<\/p>\n
A spectator then provoked Taufik by leaning on the railing of
\nthe arena and uttering still more coarse expressions. Taufik
\nproceeded to hurl his bottle at him but the plastic projectile
\nmissed the mark.<\/p>\n
An enraged Taufik then leapt into the courtside seating area
\nand pummeled a spectator named Elen Surya of Ciputat with his
\nracquet. Elen later claimed that he had said nothing malodorous.<\/p>\n
Tournament officials managed to avoid further incidents by
\nescorting Elen out of the stadium and calming Taufik. Elen was
\nheard using threatening words while departing the stadium. Other
\nspectators pleaded with Taufik to forget the incident and
\ncontinue the match.<\/p>\n
After the match, Taufik admitted his actions were excessive
\nbut said he could not control his temper.<\/p>\n
\"I know it was wrong and I tried not to do it. But what can I
\ndo? I was offended by the way he looked at me and what he said to
\nme,\" he told reporters.<\/p>\n
\"The spectators don't have the right to offend me because I
\ntake part in the tournament to entertain them. He does not have
\nany respect for me.\"<\/p>\n
Taufik quit the Indonesian Badminton Training Center last
\nmonth following a dispute over his dismissal from the national
\nteam bound for the Danish Open. It came on the heels of his most
\ndisappointing season, in which he managed only one title, at the
\nSingapore Open, and let down with many with a semifinal place at
\nthe World Championships in Seville, Spain in June.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Elen said he did not intend to offend Taufik. \"I
\ndon't understand why Taufik attacked me. I will file a lawsuit
\nwith the proper authorities,\" he told reporters.<\/p>\n
Taufik said he was ready to face any legal action taken by
\nElen.<\/p>\n
Another spectator, Hendri Abung of Nunukan, East Kalimantan, a
\nvictim of collateral damage in the dispute, was hit by Taufik's
\nerrant plastic bottle, lamented the world class player's lack of
\nself-control.<\/p>\n
\"Taufik should be able to control his emotions considering he
\nis a national athlete,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Referee Julius Tetelepta said he would report the incident to
\nthe Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).<\/p>\n
\"PBSI doesn't have any regulations concerning physical contact
\nwith spectators. If it was between shuttlers, they would be
\ndismissed from the court,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Despite the incident, Taufik did not have much trouble on the
\ncourt, disposing of Edi 7-3, 7-2, 7-3 and going through to
\nFriday's quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
Top seed Taufik will then see promising junior and former
\ntraining mate Ardiansyah, a 7-3, 7-0, 7-5 winner over teammate
\nTaufiq Hidayat Akbar.<\/p>\n
Elite shuttlers dominated Thursday's matches, with Rony
\nAgustinus and Budi Santoso and junior Sony Dwi Kuncoro all
\nreaching the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
In the women's singles, five shuttlers from the badminton
\ncenter also secured their quarterfinal slots, including top seed
\nAtu Rosalina who easily beat Mona Santosa of Jakarta 7-3, 7-0, 7-
\n1.<\/p>",
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