Hendrawan's racket sells for Rp 4m

JAKARTA (JP): Hendrawan's racket, used when he grabbed the 2000 Sydney Olympics badminton silver medal, fetched Rp 4 million (US$417) in the Atlet Peduli (Athletes Care) charity match and auction at the Siliwangi Stadium in Bandung on Saturday.

Candra Wijaya, the Olympics gold medalists with partner Tony Gunawan, canceled the sale of his racket due to a lack of buyers at the event. Candra had expected to open the auction at Rp 5 million.

Former world champion Hariyanto Arby sold his racket for Rp 2.5 million while the 1992 Olympics winner Alan Budikusuma sold his for Rp 2 million.

Sydney Olympics badminton mixed doubles silver medalist Tri Kusheryanto sold the T-shirt he wore at the Olympics for Rp 200,000 and 1992 Olympics gold medalist Susy Susanti sold her shirt for Rp 800,000.

A total of Rp 9.5 million will be donated to flood victims in Banten.

The event organizers chairman, Sigit Budiarto, also the men's doubles specialist, expressed gratitude to badminton fans throughout the world and said he hoped to be able to stage similar events regularly in appreciation of fans' support, satusports.com reported. (yan)