Jakarta shuttlers dominate national junior event
Jakarta shuttlers dominate national junior event
Musthofid, The Jakarta Post/Yogyakarta
In a demonstration of the strength of the capital's badminton programs at all levels, Jakarta is already assured of three of five titles in the National Junior Championship at Amongrogo sports hall here.
Pia Zebadiah will be challenged by Nintya Krishinda in the junior girls singles, before both team up in the girls doubles against fellow Jakartans Nadya Melati and Meidyani.
The other all-Jakarta final is Aditya Dwi Putra and I Made Agung against Andhika Harjanggi and Muhamad Ahsan in the boys doubles.
The outstanding showing was a pleasant surprise for manager Muhamad Hatta.
"We had pinned our hopes only on the boys and girls doubles. We had not expected our girls' singles players to go this far. It's very satisfying."
Meidyani and Bona Septono have a chance to add another trophy to the Jakarta contingent's haul when they take on Lingga and Yulianti of Central Java in the mixed doubles final on Saturday.
The only Jakarta shutout is the boys singles final pitting Andre Kurniawan of Central Java against Fauzi Adnan of East Java.
Around 250 junior players from 19 provinces took part in the competition which is being held concurrently with the National Mixed Team Competition for clubs.
The matches up to quarterfinals took place at the AMP YKPN sports hall, around eight kilometers away from Amongrogo.
It is the final stage of a series of tournaments from 2004 to decide on a shortlist of possible recruits to the National Training Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.
Andre was dominant in his semifinal match against Sakti Kusuma 15-4, 15-3. In contrast, Fauzi had to recoup from a game down to win 4-15, 15-3, 15-3 over Rifai.
Nintya was pushed in her 4-11, 11-7, 11-8 defeat of Dian Ayu of Central Java. Pia had an easier task in her semifinal, overcoming Jakarta's Belleatrix 11-7, 11-7.
Pia and Nintya then teamed up to beat Yulianti and Jane David 15-3, 15-7 in the doubles.
Nadya and Meidyani secured their final place at the expense of Sandrawati and Irma, also from Jakarta, in a tight 15-7, 13-15, 15-7.
In boys doubles, Andhika and Ahsan scored a 15-10, 15-12 win over Ali Rasmara and Bona Septono while Aditya and Agung came out 10-15, 15-2, 15-3 victors over Rio Wilianto and Davin Prawidsa.
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