Determined Cindana proves her point<\/p>\n
COPENHAGEN (JP): Cindana Hartono Kusuma is no longer
\novershadowed by Indonesia's controversial sports starlet Mia
\nAudina. She proved that even without Mia, she could beat seventh
\nseeded Gong Zhichao in the World Championships on Thursday.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old shuttler, who had never come up against Gong
\nbefore, said she only tried to keep the ball going.<\/p>\n
\"I kept telling myself that I always have a chance. I am
\ncomparable to elite players,\" she said.<\/p>\n
After her victory, Cindana was interviewed by a local radio
\nstation.<\/p>\n
\"I don't care if my English is good or not. It's more
\nimportant to answer their questions. I have the confidence to
\nspeak in front of many people in English despite my bad grammar,\"
\nshe said with a laugh.<\/p>\n
Cindana, who was born in the small town of Tulungagung, East
\nJava, on June 8, 1976, has never been considered special. But her
\nhard work changes all impressions of her.<\/p>\n
During her six-year stay at the National Badminton Center,
\nCindana only won two Grand Prix series titles, in the 1997 India
\nOpen and 1999 Swiss Open.<\/p>\n
\"By winning those two tournaments it means I still need to
\npractice harder. If I can win a tournament it means I can also
\nwin another,\" said the youngest child of six.<\/p>\n
During the championships, Cindana always asked an Indonesia
\nteam official to record her performance.<\/p>\n
\"I need to watch and to evaluate my performance.\"<\/p>\n
Christian Hadinata, deputy team manager and head coach, said
\nCindana did not have a great talent but her hard work helped her
\nto reach her ambition.<\/p>\n
\"But she has a problem in increasing her power. If we gave her
\nmore weight training, I'm afraid she could be injured.\"<\/p>\n
Cindana said the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI)
\ntreats Mia better than it does her and teammates Lidya
\nDjaelawidjaja and Ellen Angelina.<\/p>\n
\"That's not a reason to give up. Now without Mia on the team,
\nwe have to prove that we can be reliable even though our
\nperformance may not as special as hers. But we try our best,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Cindana, daughter of the late Mulyo Hartono Kusuma and Sri
\nHaniwati, started playing badminton at a small club Tunas Harapan
\nin her hometown when she was in elementary school.<\/p>\n
When she was in junior high school, she moved to the bigger
\nDjarum club in Kudus, Central Java. She is still with the club.<\/p>\n
\"This year I want to make my performance steady. I want to win
\nmore Grand Prix series to prove that my victories in two previous
\nseries were not only coincidences.\"<\/p>\n
Substitute<\/p>\n
Cindana said the absence of coach Liang Chiusia did not affect
\nher performance.<\/p>\n
\"I don't see the difference because I want to prove that I
\ndon't depend on my coach. I am the one who's playing, not my
\ncoach. I have to decide what to do on court.\"<\/p>\n
\"I have learned step by step and I am willing to continue it.\"<\/p>\n
Cindana said she heard the PBSI plan to expel senior players
\nwho have not performed well in international tournaments.<\/p>\n
\"If PBSI wants to replace me, my substitute must be better.
\nBut PBSI must have a reason if it wants to expel me. If I can
\nstill show good form, I believe the officials will not do that.\"<\/p>\n
Cindana said she would work harder to qualify for the 2000
\nOlympics in Sydney.<\/p>\n
\"At least I have to reach the Olympics semifinals next year.
\nWhen I'm there, I'll think of winning.\" (yan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/determined-cindana-proves-her-point-1447893297",
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