Candra confident of success with new partner

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's men's doubles shuttler Candra Wijaya expressed optimism he would retain his World Championship title in Copenhagen this month with new partner Tony Gunawan.

Speaking during a break in training at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, Candra said Tony had gained more confidence since the duo won the men's doubles title at the 1999 All England in Birmingham in March.

"Tony has been performing differently since we won the All England. He has more motivation and more of a fighting spirit. He is more confident now," Candra, who won the men's doubles at the 1997 World Championships with Sigit Budiarto, said.

Sigit was suspended by the International Badminton Federation for using nandrolone, a banned substance. His suspension will end on Nov. 15.

Candra said he was better prepared this year compared to two years ago.

"Our preparation is much better and I have more confidence. Me and Tony are not burdened with our ambition to win the men's doubles," he said.

"I have no problem preparing myself for the World Championships. My speed, power and stamina is good," Tony said, adding that he managed to overcome a mental barrier by winning the All England.

"I feel different since the All England. I feel I can play without any burden and I can really play hard," Tony, Halim Heryanto's former doubles partner, said.

Tony and Candra are the world's number three doubles pairing, after Antonius and Denny Kantono and Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian, all from Indonesia. The 1996 Olympic gold medal pairing of Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky is ranked fourth in the world.

The World Championships will take place from May 16 to May 23. They will follow the Sudirman Cup, which will be held from May 10 to May 15.

Both Candra and Tony mentioned Indonesian and South Korean doubles teams as their toughest rivals.

"South Korean pairs are really dangerous. But we also face a difficult challenge from our teammates," Candra said.

Candra said the South Korean partnership of Kim Dong-moon and Hae Tae-kwon formed a dangerous offensive team. Their power and pressure is difficult to overcome, he said.

"I'm sure we can overcome the Koreans," Candra said, adding that his second goal this year was to win the World Championships.

Tony said although he and Candra lost to Kim and Hae in the Japan Open earlier this month, he was optimistic they could overcome the Koreans.

Tony also mentioned Malaysians Cheah Soon Kit and Choon Tan Fook as another threat in the World Championships.

"Candra and I lost to them in the Taipei and Korean Opens. They are also dangerous," he said.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia is placing its medal hopes on the men's doubles in the biennial World Championships.

In the Sudirman Cup, the men's doubles is the best hope for victory, with the men's singles and mixed doubles also seen as having the potential for victory. (yan)