Hock Kin steals Indonesia's glory

JAKARTA (JP): Home shuttlers entertained their victory hungry supporters with devastating displays at the US$120,000 Sanyo Indonesia Open on Sunday, but conceded the prestigious men's crown to Malaysian second stringer Yong Hock Kin.

A nothing-to-lose Hock Kin kept his composure to tame an error-prone Budi Santoso and silence a crowd of thousands who packed to the 10,000-seat Senayan Indoor Stadium in the hope of seeing their badminton idols repeat their clean sweep of last year.

Hock Kin's success in giving Malaysia its first men's singles title ever here served a warning to Indonesia's bid for at least two gold medals at the upcoming Asian Games, not to mention major challenges from top flight Malaysian, Chinese and South Korean players who were absent from the tournament.

Before Hock Kin's easy 15-7, 15-6 victory, Indonesia won titles from the mixed doubles team of Tri Kusharjanto and Minarti Timur and from Mia Audina in the women's singles.

A makeshift women's pair of Eliza Nathanael and Deyana Lomban lifted a third title for Indonesia after coming from a set down to beat Denmark's Marlene Thomsen and Rikke Olsen 7-15, 17-15, 15-7 in a nail-biting match.

Olympic men's doubles champions Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky then sealed the glorious day with a 15-4, 15-5 win over compatriots Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian, a repeat of their previous clash in the final of the Danish Open two weeks ago.

Playing under the deafening cheers of fanatical supporters, Budi lost the firepower which helped him to oust Olympic gold medalist and second seed Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen in Saturday's semifinals.

World number eight Hock Kin piled pressure on Budi with aggressive strokes, forcing the home player into numerous errors throughout the game.

"I think I won easily. Budi was more exhausted than I was because he played rubber sets yesterday (Saturday). I watched Budi playing and thought how to anticipate him," said the 24-year-old Hock Kin who pocketed the top $9.800 purse for winning his first career title.

"I was really surprised that I took the title," said Hock Kin, who has borrowed money from friends to compete in international tournaments over the last two years.

"I'll use the prize money to pay back my debts," he giggled.

A dejected Budi said he could not maintain his cool against a stubborn player like Hock Kin.

"I have problems in taking on left-handed opponents," said Budi. Hoyer-Larsen, whom he beat on Saturday, was also a left- hander.

Maiden title

Mia also collected her first title at the tournament in the absence of six-times winner Susi Susanti, who is pregnant, and a number of the world's top players.

World number five and top seed Mia was untroubled in eliminating second seed and her chief rival Mette Sorensen of Denmark 11-0, 11-6.

But Mia refused to play down the competitive standard of her final match, particularly because Sorensen managed to go 4-1 and 6-4 ahead in the second set before falling behind to Mia's strokeplay.

"I don't think that was an easy match. There's no match without a fight," Mia told a post-match media conference.

"I had great motivation to win this tournament. I wanted to show the public that I'm back to this stage again, and I have proved it," she added.

Her boyfriend Tylio Lobman accompanied her during the conference.

"My victory is a birthday present for Tylio, who will be 23 on Nov. 27," said the 19-year-old shuttler who bagged $8,280 for her labors. Sorensen earned $3,960.

Mia crashed to compatriot Ellen Angelina in last year's quarterfinals.

Mia said she would not compete in this month's Hong Kong Open because she was preparing for the 13th Asian Games in Bangkok in December.

"I know I'll meet tougher shuttlers at the Asiad but I hope this victory will give me more confidence," she said. (yan)

Results:

Men's singles: Yong Hock Kin (Mal) bt Budi Santoso (Ina) 15-7, 15-6

Women's singles: Mia Audina (Ina) bt Mette Sorensen (Den) 11-0, 11-6

Men's doubles: Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky (Ina) bt Flandy Limpele/Eng Hian (Ina) 15-4, 15-5

Women's doubles: Eliza Nathanael/Deyana Lomban (Ina) bt Marlene Thomsen/Rikke Olsen (Den) 7-15, 17-15, 15-7

Mixed doubles: Tri Kusharjanto/Minarti Timur (Ina) bt Michael Sogaard/Rikke Olsen (Den) 10-15, 15-6, 15-6