Marlev wins motivation with birth of his son

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Olympic badminton player Marlev Mario Mainaky has gained confidence and motivation after the birth of a son on Aug. 14.

Despite his position as the national squad's underdog, Marlev can still threaten.

He said the birth of Alweyn Jantje Putra Mainaky had released his mind.

"I don't have any wariness in my mind anymore. I can focus my attention on the Olympics. I don't have any burdens although it's my first Olympics. I consider it a regular Grand Prix series."

"I'm still recovering after falling sick before the Indonesian Open. I'm still exercising to get fit and get my concentration in the games."

Marlev, number eight in the International Badminton Federation (IBF) list, admitted that the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) was putting its hope on world number one Taufik Hidayat and number three Hendrawan to win golds.

"I have to admit that Taufik and Hendrawan have a much bigger chance than me to win the gold. But I don't want to easily give up. I want to prove that PBSI can also count on me. Moreover, I haven't won any titles since the 1993 US Open," he said after a training session at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, on Friday.

Marlev's best achievement was in the 1997 Indonesian Open when he reached the final but lost to Ardy Wiranata.

In the Thomas Cup championships in Kuala Lumpur in May, he was a national hero after beating Danish Kenneth Jonassen in the semifinal when the position was 2-2.

Besides his team mates, the 28-year-old shuttler named Danish Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen and Peter Gade Christensen, Chinese Xia Xuanze and Malaysian Wong Choon Hann as tough contenders.

"From those shuttlers, I fear most Poul-Erik. I have never beaten him in our three meets since 1993. He's really good in setting a games rhythm and getting me to play fast. I usually lose to him because I get impatient."

He also tipped Xia as the Chinese was very good both in offense and defense.

"I must be very patient if I play Xia as he can play well in a slow and fast rhythm."

Coach Mulyo Handoyo believes Marlev could be the dark horse of the Olympics.

"He's a stylish player and he is good in both attack and defense. I believe the birth of his son will motivate him. At the very least, he will be going to Sydney to give a special present to his son," he said. (yan)