Badminton body aims for two titles at Japan Open

JAKARTA (JP): The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) aims to grab two titles in the upcoming five-star Japan Open tournament despite achieving disappointing results in the previous three opening events this year.

"The Indonesian men's doubles must defend the title while in the mixed doubles we have a chance to improve on our result from the event last year," PBSI's training director, Christian Hadinata, said on Thursday.

Indonesia's Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan took last year's title while Tri Kusheryanto and Minarti Timur bowed out to Chinese Liu Yong and Ge Fei in the final.

"PBSI don't expect our men's singles shuttlers to grab the title, especially after their failure at the All England championships. It will be satisfying if they can perform better."

Christian referred to Indonesian shuttlers disappointing results at the All England tournament where only the men's doubles, Tony and Halim Heryanto, managed to grab a title after ousting teammates Candra and Sigit Budiarto.

The mixed doubles only reached the quarterfinals while the men's singles were beaten in the third round.

He pointed out that the Japan Open will be the last Grand Prix series tournament before the Sudirman Cup and World Championships take place in Seville, Spain, from May 28 to June 10.

However, the ambitions of Indonesia's shuttlers to grab the two titles in Japan will face a tough challenge from European powerhouse Denmark whose shuttlers are top seeds in both events.

Indonesia will field Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian; Candra and Sigit; Tony and Halim and brothers Marlev and Reony Mainaky. They will face tough competition from Danish top-seeded pair Jens Eriksen and Jesper Larsen and third-seeded Malaysian pair Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah.

Eng Hian almost jeopardized his chance of ending his title drought after winning the Danish Open in October when he strained his back muscles.

"But I have recovered and we are prepared to compete in Japan. We really hope to be able to win the event," he said.

In the mixed doubles, PBSI will field new partners Bambang Suprianto and Minarti; Tri and Indarti Issoliana; and Nova Widhianto and Vita Marissa.

They will have to struggle against the world's top-seeded pair, Michael Sogaard and Rikke Olsen, and second seeds Jens Eriksen and Mette Schjoldager, both pairs come from Denmark. Other tough challengers are Olympic gold medalists Zhang Jun and Gao Ling of China.

Bambang has aimed to reach the semifinals, pointing out that linesmen in Tokyo are the among the fairest in Grand Prix series tournaments.

"Minarti and I are good shuttlers individually, but we have to find the best pattern of teamwork to be able to grab the title in Japan," he said.

PBSI opted to rest world number two men's singles shuttler Taufik Hidayat and number seven Hendrawan due to their poor form at the recent All England tournament.

Taufik also performed disappointingly at the Swiss Open where he bowed out to lesser known Malaysian Lee Tsuen Seng in the semifinals.

PBSI prefers to send second stringers Johan Hadikusuma and Ronny Agustinus. While Marlev will compete using his own expenses.

"I'll play all out and do my best to reach the semifinals. So far, I have only managed to reach the quarters," said Marlev, who will reside in Japan after the tournament.

PBSI will not send any women's singles players to Japan but will still field Deyana Lomban and Indarti in the women's doubles. (nvn)