Bringing young players onto the international stage

The Milo Junior Indonesia Open (MJIO) has successfully catapulted many young Indonesian shuttlers into important world badminton championships since it was first held in 2001.

Sony Dwi Kuntoro, who came second in the men's singles at the first MJIO tournament held in Surakarta, Central Java, in 2001, has notched up great achievements on the international badminton stage.

One of his most recent achievements was getting into the Thomas Cup final held in Jakarta in May this year.

In December 2003, Sony won a gold medal at the Southeast Asia (SEA) Games after beating Wong Choosing Hann of Malaysia 15-8, 15-5. In October in the same year, he also won a gold medal at the JVC Asian Championship after beating top Indonesian player Taufik Hidayat 15-5, 7-15, 15-8.

Sony will represent Indonesia at the Olympic Games in Athens in August of this year.

"Though only a few foreign players participated in the MJIO in 2001, I was confident that the tournament would, some day, help propel me into world-class badminton championships," Sony recollected.

Young women's players Silvi Antarini and Adrianti Firdasari also gained advantages from their experiences during the Milo badminton event.

According to Silvi, who won the women's singles at the MJIO held in Surakarta, Central Java, in 2001, the Milo badminton tournament constituted a stepping stone for further advancement in the sport.

The Jakarta-born shuttler has taken part in a number of international championships overseas. Competing with foreign shuttlers at the Vietnam Satellite was her most recent match experience abroad. She won a gold medal after beating Salakjit Ponsana from Thailand in an 11-4, 7-11, 11-9 encounter at the Vietnamese tournament, which was held in Ho Chi Minh City from June 1 through June 5 of this year.

For Firdasari, who won first place in the women's singles at the MJIO held in Surabaya, East Java, in 2002, the tournament also played an important role in her badminton career.

One of her most recent international experiences was when she took part in the Uber Cup in Jakarta in May of this year.

She also took part in the recent Vietnam Satellite tournament and managed to reach the quarter finals of the women's singles.

Other shuttlers who scored big in the sport following their participation in the MJIO include singles players Ardiansyah, Holli Yusiana, Siti Mahiroh and Dewi Tira Arisandi, and men's doubles players Joko Rijadi, who pairs with Hendra S., Markis Kido, who pairs with Rian Sukmawan, Belly Gunawan, who pairs with Ardian K, and Suheri, who pairs with Yoga. -- The Jakarta Post