RI sends 50 shuttlers to next month's Malaysia Open<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): World champions Joko Suprianto and Susi Susanti
\nwill lead a makeshift Indonesian team at the July 6-10 Malaysia
\nOpen badminton championships in Johor.<\/p>\n
The US$180,000 tournament, the fourth stop of the Asian world
\nbadminton grand prix series, will serve as another proving ground
\nfor Indonesia's triumphant Thomas Cup and Uber Cup sides after an
\nexhausting month of victory celebrations.<\/p>\n
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) announced
\nyesterday the big guns for the men's singles competition will
\ninclude title holder Ardy Wiranata, Hermawan Susanto, Olympic
\nchampion Alan Budikusuma and Fung Permadi.<\/p>\n
All-England reigning champion Hariyanto Arbi and the women's
\nworld number two doubles pair of Lili Tampi and Finarsih will be
\nconspicuous by their absences at the upcoming tourney. Haryanto
\nwas upset by China's Dong Jiong in the recent Asian Cup final in
\nBeijing.<\/p>\n
"We want him to take a break and prepare for the Indonesia
\nOpen in August," coach Indra Gunawan said, adding that most of
\nhis players had lost their form during the victory tours. The
\nparty ended in Ujungpandang last Sunday.<\/p>\n
"The losing streaks of key shuttlers led to our decision to
\nembark with a squad heavy on second best players," Indra said.<\/p>\n
Men's world number two doubles team Ricky Subagja and Rexy
\nMainaky provided Indonesia with its lone title at the Asian Cup
\ninvitational event.<\/p>\n
PBSI plans to send the young shuttlers to championships in
\nSingapore and Brunei following the six-star Johor event.<\/p>\n
Men's singles Hendrawan and Lioe Tiong Ping and their women's
\nteammates Meuliawati, Kristin Yunita and Ika Henny are among
\nseveral second stringers Indonesia is counting on.<\/p>\n
The world's best doubles team of Rudy Gunawan and Bambang
\nSupriyanto, defending champions Ricky and Rexy and rising stars
\nDanny Kantono and Antonius have all confirmed their participation
\nin the most lucrative badminton event.<\/p>\n
Mia Audina and Yuliani Sentosa will join Susi in Indonesia's
\ncharge to retain the women's singles title amid the challenge of
\nChina's Ye Zhaoying and Hang Jingna. Susi won the Malaysia Open
\ncrown last year as Indonesia swept three out of five top honors.<\/p>\n
Relegating Lili and Finarsih to the bench, Indonesia will bank
\non the junior pair of Eliza and Zelin Resiana who joined the
\nwinning Uber Cup team last May.<\/p>\n
The European challenge in the men's singles competition will
\nbe led by Danes Thomas Stuer-Lauridsen and Poul-Erik Hoyer-
\nLarsen, Sweden's Jens Olsson and England's Darren Hall and Anders
\nNielsen.<\/p>\n
The host nation expects three-time champion Rashid Sidek to
\nregain his crown. Superstar Rashid, who missed last year's meet
\ndue to an eye injury, almost singlehandedly led Malaysia to May's
\nThomas Cup final. (amd)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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