Badminton star Taufik pulls a Cantona
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesia's badminton star Taufik Hidayat added more shame to his troubled career as he literally beat a provoking spectator -- in a move reminiscent of former Manchester United star Eric Cantona's famous karate kick -- during his men's singles match at the 2001 National Badminton Championships here on Thursday.
Representing West Java, Taufik was leading Edi Santoso of Central Java 6-2 in the second game when the incident halted the second-round match.
Both players had been involved in a heated argument over playing etiquette after Edi refused to take the shuttlecock he was supposed to after failing a return. The shuttlecock dropped in Taufik's court almost directly under the net.
Only after both the umpire and referee Julius Tetelepta intervened, Edi picked up the shuttlecock in disgust.
Both shuttlers then took a timeout to drink, and suddenly one of the spectators at Bung Karno Badminton Stadium shouted some unsavory phraseology at Taufik. Shocked by what he heard, Taufik glared into the stands and challenged the perpetrators to step down to the court.
A spectator then provoked Taufik by leaning on the railing of the arena and uttering still more coarse expressions. Taufik proceeded to hurl his bottle at him but the plastic projectile missed the mark.
An enraged Taufik then leapt into the courtside seating area and pummeled a spectator named Elen Surya of Ciputat with his racquet. Elen later claimed that he had said nothing malodorous.
Tournament officials managed to avoid further incidents by escorting Elen out of the stadium and calming Taufik. Elen was heard using threatening words while departing the stadium. Other spectators pleaded with Taufik to forget the incident and continue the match.
After the match, Taufik admitted his actions were excessive but said he could not control his temper.
"I know it was wrong and I tried not to do it. But what can I do? I was offended by the way he looked at me and what he said to me," he told reporters.
"The spectators don't have the right to offend me because I take part in the tournament to entertain them. He does not have any respect for me."
Taufik quit the Indonesian Badminton Training Center last month following a dispute over his dismissal from the national team bound for the Danish Open. It came on the heels of his most disappointing season, in which he managed only one title, at the Singapore Open, and let down with many with a semifinal place at the World Championships in Seville, Spain in June.
Meanwhile, Elen said he did not intend to offend Taufik. "I don't understand why Taufik attacked me. I will file a lawsuit with the proper authorities," he told reporters.
Taufik said he was ready to face any legal action taken by Elen.
Another spectator, Hendri Abung of Nunukan, East Kalimantan, a victim of collateral damage in the dispute, was hit by Taufik's errant plastic bottle, lamented the world class player's lack of self-control.
"Taufik should be able to control his emotions considering he is a national athlete," he said.
Referee Julius Tetelepta said he would report the incident to the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).
"PBSI doesn't have any regulations concerning physical contact with spectators. If it was between shuttlers, they would be dismissed from the court," he said.
Despite the incident, Taufik did not have much trouble on the court, disposing of Edi 7-3, 7-2, 7-3 and going through to Friday's quarterfinals.
Top seed Taufik will then see promising junior and former training mate Ardiansyah, a 7-3, 7-0, 7-5 winner over teammate Taufiq Hidayat Akbar.
Elite shuttlers dominated Thursday's matches, with Rony Agustinus and Budi Santoso and junior Sony Dwi Kuncoro all reaching the quarterfinals.
In the women's singles, five shuttlers from the badminton center also secured their quarterfinal slots, including top seed Atu Rosalina who easily beat Mona Santosa of Jakarta 7-3, 7-0, 7- 1.