Anton, Ismu capture Indocement Cup title

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's best hope in the Olympic Games men's doubles Anton Suseno and Ismu Harinto met expectations of winning the fourth Indocement Cup table tennis open tournament in Simpruk, South Jakarta, Sunday.

The duo easily defeated Hadi Yudo Prajitno and Asep A.S. from Bandung-based NHI club 21-13, 21-16 at Sunday's final. Anton and Ismu pocketed Rp 8 million (US$900) first prize while Hadi and Asep bagged Rp 4 million.

David Yacobs and M. Zainuddin of host club Tiga Roda shared the third place with Jelly Da Costa and Budiono of Bandung-based Gani Artha club. Each earned Rp 1.5 million in prize money.

Ismu, also a member of Gani Artha club, completed his victory by claiming the men's singles title by beating Hadi 21-23, 21-8, 19-21, 21-10, 21-18.

He won Rp 6 million while Hadi received Rp 3 million. Joint second runners up David and Zainuddin earned Rp 1 million each.

Anton, playing for Bandung-based NHI club, did not play in the singles event. Both Anton and Ismu were still playing in the team event as of press time.

"Hadi Yudo is our practice partner but he and Asep have never been able to overcome us. During the singles event, Hadi tried to break my playing rhythm while saving his energy. He managed to keep me busy but he was finally out of breath because of my constant attack," Ismu said after the match.

Anton and Ismu will move their training from Kediri, Central Java, to Jakarta as of Aug. 25 before flying to Sydney early September.

Coach Adjat Sudradjat said he would likely invite national players including Deddy Da Costa, M. Al Arkam, Ersan and Anton's brother Yon Mardiono to be practice partners.

National women's player Rossy Pratiwi Dipoyanti of NHI had to work hard to beat junior Santi, a member of the Surya club in Kediri, 21-10, 15-21, 21-18, 20-22, 21-10.

But Rossy failed to repeat her victory in the women's doubles. She and junior partner Rossy Nurida bowed out to Nuni Sugiani and Siti Wakidah of Gani Artha 15-21, 20-22.

Wiworo of UMS '80 of Jakarta and Nuni shared the third place of the singles event, while doubles pair of Wiworo and Lina also finished third along with Ratna and Santi of Surya club. (ivy)