Sony Dwi Kuncoro, a future star to replace seniors<\/p>\n
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): The Badminton Association of
\nIndonesia (PBSI) made the right decision by admitting Sony Dwi
\nKuncoro in its training program, as the 17-year-old boy has shown
\ngreat talent since the 1999 Indonesia Open in Bali.<\/p>\n
World champion Hendrawan and two-time All England finalist
\nTaufik Hidayat even named Sony as their future substitute.<\/p>\n
Sony told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the 2001 Milo
\nJunior Indonesia Open that becoming both shuttlers' practice
\npartner inspired him to follow their steps.<\/p>\n
\"Hendrawan is really a master of net games with plenty of
\nscanning or feinting movements. Playing the game slowly only to
\nspeed it up suddenly to grab points,\" Sony said.<\/p>\n
\"Being his practice partner has also improved my game strategy
\nalthough I need more training and experience to further refine
\nit.\"<\/p>\n
\"As for Taufik, I did beat him several times during training
\nbut that meant nothing. I guess Taufik only lost intentionally to
\nme. I'm sure Taufik will give his best and play all out if we
\nmeet in a tournament instead of a sparring session.\"<\/p>\n
Sony, who was born in Surabaya on July 7, 1984, was admitted
\nto the center in February and has improved his technique and
\nspeed ever since.<\/p>\n
\"Coach Joko Supriyanto always emphasizes the importance of
\nbeing disciplined during training and even in our daily lives. He
\nusually gets annoyed if our rooms are messy.\"<\/p>\n
\"He doesn't even allow us to bring our TV sets, motorcycles or
\ncars to the center. We have to wait until we have proved
\nourselves and become champions.\"<\/p>\n
The youngest of two siblings started to learn badminton at the
\nage of seven from father Muhammad Sumaji, a coach at the
\nSurabaya-based Wisma Citra Nusantara club.<\/p>\n
\"I joined the club when I was nine. I'm still registered with
\nthe club now.\"<\/p>\n
The last time Sony represented his club was at the 2001
\nNational Junior Championships in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan,
\nwhere he lost to eventual champion Ardiansyah of Jakarta-based
\nTangkas Bogasari.<\/p>\n
Sony's best results so far were runner-up at the 2000 World
\nJunior Championships in Guangzhou, China and the 2000 Asian
\nJunior Championships in Japan.<\/p>\n
\"I lost to Bao Chunlai in Guangzhou and to Lin Dan in Japan.
\nBao also beat me at the 2000 German Open quarterfinals.\"<\/p>\n
\"The Chinese shuttlers usually play fast. If we are able to
\nhold them to a rubber-set match, then they usually lose their
\naccuracy and control.\"<\/p>\n
\"It's the typical style of East Asian shuttlers. As long as we
\ncan return their shots and have better physical fitness, I
\nbelieve we can win the match.\"<\/p>\n
Sony said that he loves Vespa scooters and will buy more when
\nhe has enough money.<\/p>\n
\"My father and I always used to ride a scooter to the training
\nhall. I started to love scooters and hope to develop my hobby of
\nmodifying scooters.\" (nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sony-dwi-kuncoro-a-future-star-to-replace-seniors-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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