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."