Marlev still showing style despite eight-year drought<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): July 29 was not just another Sunday for Marlev
\nMario Mainaky. The 30-year-old Indonesian had a check for
\nUS$13,600 from the Sanyo Indonesia Open in one hand and 11-month-
\nold son Alweyn Jantje Putra Mainaky in the other, as he stood
\nbefore nearly 5,000 badminton fans at the Bung Karno Indoor
\nStadium.<\/p>\n
Marlev, a stylish shuttler, put an end his eight-year title
\ndrought by claiming men's singles title at the event, defeating
\nMalaysian Lee Tsuen Seng 6-8, 7-5, 7-3, 7-3 in the final.<\/p>\n
\"I dedicate my victory today to my family. It means a lot to
\nme,\" he said. \"Now that I was able to win my first Grand Prix
\nseries title in eight years, I must pay more attention to my
\nfamily's welfare. I have to improve my living standards.\"<\/p>\n
Born on March 3, 1972, in Ternate, North Maluku, Marlev said
\nthe victory gave him confidence that he could still win despite
\nhis age.<\/p>\n
\"The new scoring system allows me to launch more attacks
\nwithout worrying about my stamina, especially against younger
\nshuttlers.\"<\/p>\n
Marlev's offensive barrage caught Lee off-guard, leaving the
\nSwiss Open runner-up few chances to strike back. Instead of long
\nlobs and rallies, Marlev constantly intercepted Lee's shuttlecock
\nand sent it back with a smash.<\/p>\n
The son of the late Jantje Rudolf Mainaky and Vera comes from
\na strong badminton background.<\/p>\n
Older brother Richard coaches Indonesia's mixed doubles pairs
\nat the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta,
\nwhile another older brother, Reony, coaches for the Japan-based
\nYKK badminton club.<\/p>\n
Marlev's other older brother, 1996 Atlanta Olympic gold
\nmedalist Rexy, is coaching England's doubles pairs, and younger
\nbrother Karel is also a shuttler.<\/p>\n
Marlev -- who has a great interest in boxing and is a big fan
\nof Oscar de la Hoya -- seemed to get lost in the shuffle at the
\nbadminton center after grabbing his first, and until Sunday only
\ntitle in 1993.<\/p>\n
Despite his ideal build and light footwork, he seldom made it
\nto the finals of events, let alone won titles. This caused
\nofficials at the Badminton Association of Indonesia to warn him
\nconstantly to improve his performance.<\/p>\n
Marlev was projected since the early 1990s to strengthen
\nIndonesian men's singles camp, along with Alan Budikusuma, Joko
\nSuprianto, Ardy Bernardus Wiranata and Hermawan Susanto. But he
\nfailed to live up to expectations.<\/p>\n
But the presence of Helen Pouky, Marlev's long-time girlfriend
\nwho he married in 1999, has helped him begin to live up to the
\npromise he showed early on. And the birth of Alweyn gave him a
\nbig boost, with his form showing marked improvement since his son
\nwas born.<\/p>\n
Marlev is now seeking another career path and is in intensive
\nnegotiations with Reony to join the coaching staff of the
\nJapanese club.<\/p>\n
\"I am still negotiating the terms with Reony. We haven't come
\nto any deal yet as I am still focused on playing. I will have to
\nwait until that is over.<\/p>\n
\"But I think I'll still play badminton for a while, especially
\nafter winning this title. It proves that I can still win.\"<\/p>\n
Despite his repeated statement \"I no longer have the
\nmotivation to be a winner\", the Indonesian has proven his value
\nto the country, as shown during the 2000 Thomas Cup semifinals
\nwhere he defeated Kenneth Jonassen of Denmark in the do-or-die
\nnail-bitting deciding match with the countries tied 2-2.<\/p>\n
The 1.78-meter Marlev is now eying the upcoming World Grand
\nPrix Finals in Brunei from Aug. 8 to Aug. 12. He aims to bring
\nhome the title and finally lose the bitter taste of his failure
\nat the 1999 Finals, when he lost to Peter Gade Christensen of
\nDenmark in the final. (nvn)<\/p>",
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