Pregnant badminton queen to miss Asian Games<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's best female badminton player Susi
\nSusanti sees her bid to win her first gold medal in an Asian
\nGames vanishing but a baby she will give birth in about eight
\nmonths is more than enough consolation.<\/p>\n
The Badminton Association of Indonesia's director of the
\nnational training center Christian Hadinata said on Saturday Susi
\nwould not be expected to don the national colors in December's
\nAsiad in Bangkok after she found out she was pregnant.<\/p>\n
"It's too risky to let her play in Bangkok although medical
\nconsiderations may tolerate it. She has dedicated more than
\nenough of her life to badminton, so let her enjoy her happy days
\nwith her family," Christian said.<\/p>\n
Susi's absence will not adversely affect Indonesia's hopes to
\ntake four badminton gold medals home from Bangkok, Christian
\nsaid. Olympic silver medalist Mia Audina, whose erratic
\nperformance has caused her drop out of the world's top 10, will
\nlead Indonesia's charge in the women's event.<\/p>\n
"Indeed Susi is still the best but her absence could motivate
\nMia to prove that she is not Susi's bridesmaid. Who knows, Mia
\ncould spring a surprise," said Christian.<\/p>\n
Susi has won all major badminton titles plus an Olympic gold
\nin Barcelona six years ago but has never reached the final in
\nAsiad. She was upset by home favorite Hisako Mizui in the
\nsemifinals at the 1994 Asiad in Hiroshima, Japan.<\/p>\n
The badminton queen married fellow Olympic gold medalist Alan
\nBudikusuma in February last year. They are staying at a badminton
\ncamp in Cipayung, East Jakarta, along with the other country's
\nelite shuttlers.<\/p>\n
Susi has said she will hang up her racket and start family
\nlife after having a baby.<\/p>\n
Christian said the country's badminton body had anticipated
\nSusi's imminent retirement. "There are many potential players in
\nstore as the result of our continuing regeneration program. So we
\ndon't worry about Susi's departure," he said. (amd)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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