Dane shuttler masters Indonesians in Games<\/p>\n
ATLANTA, Georgia (AFP): Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, the European
\nwho has failed dismally in Asia, came good in America.<\/p>\n
The Dane, trying to emerge from the shadow of legendary
\ncountryman Morten Frost, defeated two leading Indonesians on the
\nway to his final win over Dong Jiong of China.<\/p>\n
Despite faltering time after time in Asia, Hoyer-Larsen
\nunderlined his Olympic credentials with triumph in the All-
\nEngland championships earlier this year and was in outstanding
\nform during the Centennial Games.<\/p>\n
Hoyer-Larsen said that fatherhood had given him a new outlook
\non life and that had helped him improve his play.<\/p>\n
"I felt calm throughout the final and I felt in control," said
\nHoyer-Larsen. "I could see he was a bit nervous. He couldn't
\nrelax and sometimes made mistakes."<\/p>\n
"I have become a better badminton player since knowing
\nbadminton is not the most important thing in my life," he added.
\n"My wife and son are."<\/p>\n
His victories over defending champion Alan Budikusuma and
\nHeryanto Arbi in earlier rounds broke the hearts of millions of
\nIndonesians who also saw badminton pin-up Susi Susanti falter in
\nher defense of the women's singles title.<\/p>\n
Teenager Mia Audina, a devoted Christian who believes God
\nguides her every movement on court, kept Indonesia's spirits
\nalive by reaching the final.<\/p>\n
But All-England champion Bang Soo-hyun of South Korea was too
\nclever for the 16-year-old and her celestial controller and won
\n11-6, 11-7.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian camp did raucously celebrate one title, Ricky
\nSubagja and Rexy Mainaky beating the second-seeded Malaysian pair
\nof Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock in the men's doubles.<\/p>\n
It was only the third Olympic gold medal achieved in any sport
\nby the world's fourth most populous country, but after the
\nBarcelona double it had expected greater reward from the Atlanta
\nOlympics.<\/p>\n
Indonesia retained the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup team
\nchampionships in Hong Kong two months ago and the general feeling
\nwas that the Olympics came too soon after that heroic effort.<\/p>\n
Ge Fei and Gu Jun upset the seedings to become the first
\nChinese players ever to win an Olympic gold medal at badminton.<\/p>\n
The two Gs did it by bringing down the top-seeded world
\nchampions from South Korea, Gil Young-ah and Jang Hye-ock 15-5,
\n15-5, with the finest performances of their careers.<\/p>\n
South Korea won the first Olympic mixed doubles title, but it
\nwas not sentimental favorites Park Joo-bong and Ra Kyung-min who
\nmounted the top step of the podium.<\/p>\n
Living legend<\/p>\n
The legendary Park, regarded as the best doubles player of all
\ntime, came out of retirement last November to have a crack at the
\ntitle and it seemed fated that there would be gold at the end of
\nhis Olympic rainbow.<\/p>\n
But the top seeds were beaten by Kim Dong-moon and Gil Young-
\nah, with Gil atoning for her disappointment in the women's
\ndoubles final with an outstanding performance at the net.<\/p>\n
"I came back for the mixed doubles and I was under a lot of
\npressure," admitted Park, who is retiring to his job for the
\nthird and last time.<\/p>\n
"Although this is my last game I do not have too much regret
\nbecause in the final it was Korea versus Korea - although I do
\nhave some regret for my partner Ra Kyung-min."<\/p>",
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