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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------