Indonesian shuttlers look for world titles<\/p>\n
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesian shuttlers, after failing once again to win the
\nSudirman Cup, will be looking for redemption at the World
\nChampionships in August in Anaheim, United States.<\/p>\n
\"Our spirits are high. We are ready to win the world
\nchampionship,\" doubles specialist Candra Wijaya said on the
\nsidelines of a practice session at the national badminton
\ntraining center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, on Saturday.<\/p>\n
With partner Sigit Budiarto, Candra was not sorely tested
\nduring the best-of-five matches at last week's Sudirman Cup in
\nBeijing. They were rested in the team's 5-0 drubbing at the hand
\nof China in group match play, with the team preferring to hold
\nthem back for the decisive match against Denmark.<\/p>\n
Indonesia trounced the European giant 3-0 to advance to the
\nfinal. With the men's doubles scheduled as the fourth tie, Candra
\nand Sigit did not have to swing a racket in the victory over
\nDenmark.<\/p>\n
In the final, Indonesia lost to China 3-0, leaving Candra and
\nSigit no chance to lead a comeback.<\/p>\n
Looking ahead, Candra said he and Sigit were optimistic about
\ntheir chances in Anaheim, which will host the World Championships
\nfrom Aug. 15 to Aug. 21.<\/p>\n
Candra and Sigit won the Swiss Open in April this year, which
\nhelped push them up to fifth in the IBF world rankings.<\/p>\n
Another doubles specialist, Luluk Hadiyanto, is also feeling
\nconfident.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully, we will become world champions,\" Luluk, who pairs
\nwith Alvent Yulianto, said.<\/p>\n
World number eight Taufik Hidayat also sent a clear message
\nabout his desire to pick up more silverware to go with his
\nOlympic gold medal.<\/p>\n
Taufik, only the second singles player to win an Olympic gold
\nfor Indonesia, after Alan Budikusuma turned the trick in
\nBarcelona 1992, would likely have been the favorite in last
\nmonth's All England but he was sidelined with a knee injury.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's squad for the Anaheim tournament will include
\nTaufik and world number 19 Sony Dwi Kuncoro (men's singles);
\nLuluk\/Alvent, Candra\/Sigit and world number nine Markis
\nKidho\/Hendra Setiawan (men's doubles); world number 21 Jo
\nNovita\/Lita Nurlita and world number 34 Nathalia Poluakan\/Rani
\nMundiasti (women's doubles); world number 48 Adrianti Firdasari
\nand Fransiska Ratnasari (women's singles); world number five Nova
\nWidianto\/Lilyana Natsir and world number 18 Anggun Nugroho\/Yunita
\nTetty (mixed doubles).<\/p>\n
The championship will feature 64 players each in the men's and
\nwomen's singles, and 64 pairs each in the men's, women's and
\nmixed doubles.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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