Dane shuttler masters Indonesians in Games
Dane shuttler masters Indonesians in Games
ATLANTA, Georgia (AFP): Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, the European
who has failed dismally in Asia, came good in America.
The Dane, trying to emerge from the shadow of legendary
countryman Morten Frost, defeated two leading Indonesians on the
way to his final win over Dong Jiong of China.
Despite faltering time after time in Asia, Hoyer-Larsen
underlined his Olympic credentials with triumph in the All-
England championships earlier this year and was in outstanding
form during the Centennial Games.
Hoyer-Larsen said that fatherhood had given him a new outlook
on life and that had helped him improve his play.
"I felt calm throughout the final and I felt in control," said
Hoyer-Larsen. "I could see he was a bit nervous. He couldn't
relax and sometimes made mistakes."
"I have become a better badminton player since knowing
badminton is not the most important thing in my life," he added.
"My wife and son are."
His victories over defending champion Alan Budikusuma and
Heryanto Arbi in earlier rounds broke the hearts of millions of
Indonesians who also saw badminton pin-up Susi Susanti falter in
her defense of the women's singles title.
Teenager Mia Audina, a devoted Christian who believes God
guides her every movement on court, kept Indonesia's spirits
alive by reaching the final.
But All-England champion Bang Soo-hyun of South Korea was too
clever for the 16-year-old and her celestial controller and won
11-6, 11-7.
The Indonesian camp did raucously celebrate one title, Ricky
Subagja and Rexy Mainaky beating the second-seeded Malaysian pair
of Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock in the men's doubles.
It was only the third Olympic gold medal achieved in any sport
by the world's fourth most populous country, but after the
Barcelona double it had expected greater reward from the Atlanta
Olympics.
Indonesia retained the Thomas Cup and Uber Cup team
championships in Hong Kong two months ago and the general feeling
was that the Olympics came too soon after that heroic effort.
Ge Fei and Gu Jun upset the seedings to become the first
Chinese players ever to win an Olympic gold medal at badminton.
The two Gs did it by bringing down the top-seeded world
champions from South Korea, Gil Young-ah and Jang Hye-ock 15-5,
15-5, with the finest performances of their careers.
South Korea won the first Olympic mixed doubles title, but it
was not sentimental favorites Park Joo-bong and Ra Kyung-min who
mounted the top step of the podium.
Living legend
The legendary Park, regarded as the best doubles player of all
time, came out of retirement last November to have a crack at the
title and it seemed fated that there would be gold at the end of
his Olympic rainbow.
But the top seeds were beaten by Kim Dong-moon and Gil Young-
ah, with Gil atoning for her disappointment in the women's
doubles final with an outstanding performance at the net.
"I came back for the mixed doubles and I was under a lot of
pressure," admitted Park, who is retiring to his job for the
third and last time.
"Although this is my last game I do not have too much regret
because in the final it was Korea versus Korea - although I do
have some regret for my partner Ra Kyung-min."