Sony aiming higher after Athens<\/p>\n
Eva C. Komandjaja, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Sony was beside himself, laying on the floor in exultation
\nafter winning. His left hand covered his face as he struggled to
\nhold back tears. Moments later he rose to his feet, clinching his
\nteeth in sheer happiness before shaking hands with his vanquished
\nopponent, Boonsak Polsana of Thailand.<\/p>\n
As the TV camera panned the stands, a handful of red and white
\nflags were seen waving as spectators cheered him on.<\/p>\n
It was a playoff for the bronze medal in Athens. It was not an
\nunprecedented performance, as Indonesian badminton players have a
\nplethora of international accolades, including from previous
\nOlympics.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, given the medal scarcity (four medals so far) by
\nthe Indonesian Olympic contingent, Sony's hard-fought victory was
\na relief, not only to Indonesian supporters, both inside the
\nGaoudi Hall in Athens and back home, but particularly to the
\nplayer himself.<\/p>\n
\"Every shuttler, without a doubt, wants to be a champion in
\nthe Olympics. Who wouldn't? It was just that I found it so tough
\nout there. This is the best I could achieve, anyway,\" Sony told
\nThe Jakarta Post by phone after he and other medal winners were
\nreceived by President Megawati at the State Palace here on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
With the bronze, Sony was making amends for his loss in the
\nsemifinals. And that seemed enough to give him a boost to look
\nahead with optimism.<\/p>\n
\"I'm still young and many international tournaments await my
\nchallenge. I will take the challenge and try to give the best in
\nthe future,\" the 20-year-old Sony said.<\/p>\n
After losing the Asian Championship crown he had held twice
\nand having his Thomas Cup hopes shattered, Sony went to Athens to
\nredeem himself with a high level of confidence.<\/p>\n
And the East Javanese player beat Moh. Roslin Hashim and Park
\nTae-sang with his aggressive play to extend his domination in
\nhead-to-head meetings with the two.<\/p>\n
But, Sony's run came to a halt, succumbing to Shon Seung-mo in
\nthe semifinals.<\/p>\n
Disappointed as he was, Sony said was happy with the bronze
\nand his performance overall.<\/p>\n
\"I gave my best performance in those games and my opponents
\nwere really good shuttlers so this is the best result that I
\ncould give,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sony was born a shuttler, with father Muhammad Sumaji a coach
\nat the Wisma Citra Nusantara badminton club in Surabaya, East
\nJava.<\/p>\n
He began taking playing formally there when he was just seven
\nand joined the national training center in 2001. As he has aged,
\nhe has improved his technique and speed.<\/p>\n
He was included on the Indonesian men's team for the 2002
\nThomas Cup championship for the first time but was not much more
\nthan a waterboy as he was not given a chance to play.<\/p>\n
However, being part of the euphoria of the team's Thomas Cup
\nvictory, seemed to fire him up to train harder.<\/p>\n
In the next Thomas Cup he was the ace of the team as
\nIndonesia's highest ranked singles player, thanks to his
\nimpressive runs that earned him a gold at the 2003 Southeast
\nAsian Games and back-to-back Asian championships in 2002 and
\n2003.<\/p>\n
Sony may not have won gold, but his Olympic run has given him
\nconfidence, and because he is still young he may expect an even
\nbetter performance in the future.<\/p>\n
Coach Joko Supriyanto believes Sony will have a remarkable
\namount of self-confidence after his fine Olympic run.<\/p>\n
\"I think Sony has shown an improved self-confidence given his
\nOlympic performance. That's a good sign, because self-confidence
\nis very important for a shuttler,\" Joko said.<\/p>\n
\"He seems to be able to convince himself that he can win
\nanother game. His medal victory put him among the world's top
\nplayers.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully, Sony's confidence will grow, then I can expect him
\nto win the All England and World Championship next year,\" Joko
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Joko's optimism is not unfounded and Sony should be able to
\nget to the next level of sport's elite, including the next
\nOlympics in Beijing where he should get a chance to convert his
\nbronze to a brighter shade of precious metal.<\/p>",
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