Badminton star Taufik pulls a Cantona

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.