Men's doubles Candra, Tony want fixed partnership

JAKARTA (JP): Top Indonesian men's doubles player Candra Wijaya said on Wednesday he needed time to settle into a partnership with Tony Gunawan after Sigit Budiarto's self-imposed break from the sport over alleged drug use.

"When coaches and officials said my partnership with Tony would be only temporary, I was really doubtful. I still am. I don't know what will happen to us after the Asiad," Candra told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday during a training session at the National Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.

"If they believe that Tony and I can work together and win some tournaments, they must give us a chance and not only view our results in the Indonesia Open and the Asiad. It takes time to be partners."

"If the results are bad, they can't just separate us without any compromise. It's about someone's career."

Candra's partnership with Sigit resulted in a World Championship title in 1997. The duo was rated along with compatriots Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky among the top contenders for the Asian Games in Bangkok in December.

Their partnership was disrupted after the Singapore Open in August when Sigit allegedly tested positive for the anabolic steroid nandrolone. The International Badminton Federation is scheduling a hearing.

Candra and Tony, both aged 23, lost to Ricky and Rexy in the Indonesia Open in October.

Earlier this year when Sigit was recuperating from illness, Candra and Tony won the Swedish Open and the Copenhagen Masters. They also reached the All England final.

Separately, Tony, who usually partners Halim Heryanto, said: "If coaches want me to split up with Candra after the Asiad, it is up to them, but I hope to have a fixed partner."

Tony, whose long-term target with Halim was to qualify for the 2000 Olympics, said he was under a lot of pressure because of Candra's high IBF ranking.

"Well, sometimes I feel burdened. But I won't think about it too much. Luckily, Candra and I are roommates (at the center dormitory). We can talk about it," said Tony, who joined the center in 1993.

Both shuttlers said they needed to compete in the Hong Kong Open as a warmup for the Asian Games.

"We still have to improve our teamwork. We need a competitive situation. I don't care what the result in Hong Kong will be, but I want to test our skills," Candra said.

Candra and Tony hoped they could retain the gold medal for Indonesia at the quadrennial event which begins on Dec. 6 and ends on Dec. 20.

The two considered doubles teams from South Korea, Malaysia and China as their main rivals apart from Ricky and Rexy. (yan)