Injury forces Hariyanto to quit World Cup c'ship
Injury forces Hariyanto to quit World Cup c'ship
JAKARTA (JP): Top seed and defending men's singles champion
Hariyanto Arbi pulled out of the World Cup badminton
championships yesterday with an injury that threatens Indonesia's
campaign for a clean sweep.
Hariyanto gave in to his chronic hamstring injury during a
morning practice at the Senayan indoor stadium, the venue for the
US$180,000 tournament, on the eve of his group opening match
against Lee Mi Chow of Chinese Taipei.
"It's such a terrible pain that I cannot take it," world
champion Hariyanto grinned as he limped off the court. "It
reminds me of the same strain I suffered in the Indonesia Open
over a month ago," he said.
Hariyanto was forced out of the Indonesia Open semifinals by
the same injury when he played eventual champion Ardy Wiranata.
Indonesia, however, keeps its chance to seize the men's
singles crown wide open by letting former world number one Joko
Suprianto in.
"We have no other choice but Joko. He's the most well-prepared
player for the tournament," Iwan Setiawan, training director of
the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), said yesterday.
According to the world badminton rankings used to determine
the players eligible for the invitational tournament, U.S. Open
champion Hermawan Susanto should have taken Hariyanto's place.
"No, we have our own considerations. Joko is fresher than
Hermawan," said Iwan. Joko has been out of his best form this
season, but managed to win the Asia Cup in Beijing and Singapore
Open and reach the Indonesia Open final.
Hermawan, runner-up to Joko in the 1993 World Championships,
rose to number two on the latest world rankings behind Hariyanto,
thanks to his U.S. Open victory. He is now playing in the
provincial games in Serang, West Java, and is scheduled to take
on fellow member of national squad George Richmardi in today's
final.
Women's doubles
Injuries also threaten Indonesia's dreams of clinching the
women's doubles as Lili Tampi will bring her stomach problem with
her on court.
"I'm not sure about winning the title," Lili said. She will
team up with her regular partner Finarsih in the Group A round-
robin matches.
The Indonesian number one women's pair crashed out in the
first round of the Indonesia Open to Japanese minnows, Akiko and
Aiko Miyamura.
"Lili and Finarsih desperately need a win to restore their
status," national coach Indra Gunawan said. "They should take
advantage of the absence of their Chinese and South Korean
foes," he added.
World champions Gil Young-ah and Jang Hye-ock of South Korea
and their runners-up Ge Fei and Gu Jun skipped the tournament
here.
Indonesia is also relying on rising stars Eliza and Zelin
Resiana.
The five-day tournament kicks off today, with new top seed
Ardy starting his campaign against Ong Ewe Hock of Malaysia in
their Group B match. Women's singles top seed Susi Susanti will
also return after taking a full month's rest, playing Yasuko
Mizui of Japan. (amd)