Mia makes her return, Raj king for a day

The Jakarta Post Jakarta

FEELING AT HOME: Istora Senayan sports hall holds a lot of memories for Indonesian-born Mia Audina Tjiptawan.

Although she left for the Netherlands in 1999 after marrying Tylo Lobman, Mia is pleased to be back in her old hunting ground for the ongoing Djarum Indonesia Open.

It was in the Central Jakarta sports hall that Mia, then a talented 14 year old, helped the national squad triumph in the Uber Cup women's team event.

She has played here again since moving to Europe, but the reception from some local fans was not always welcoming.

Thankfully, it was a bit different for the eighth seed on Wednesday.

"I heard more clapping than people taunting me," she said after sweeping Korean Kim Sun Me 11-0, 11-0.

Mia said she would give up the game when it was time to have children with her husband, who is of Surinamese descent.

"In the future, I might become a coach if somebody offered the job to me."

BIG DAY: On Wednesday's first day of competition, fans began filing in at 2 p.m. to see World and Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat.

Very few knew anything about his opponent, Raj Popat, a player of Indian descent who was born in Birmingham but now lives in Wales.

The 19 year old has trained for two months at Tangkas Bogasari Club here, and he said many of his club mates teased him when he was drawn to play Taufik.

Although he never seriously tested the third seed, at least Raj did not disgrace himself, although he admitted he was shaking when he came on court.

"I had a great experience playing with a legend as I started my first major tournament," he told The Jakarta Post.

Raj, who will return to Wales this week, is targeting a top 20 place within the next three years.

STUDY SESSION: Malaysian head coach Yap Kim Hock, who does his best to watch all of his players in action, says he has no specific title target for the tournament.

Yap, who brought a 32-strong team of shuttlers, wants them to get experience from playing in Indonesia.

"We want to learn more from Indonesia, especially in the men's double category. That is why we have Rexy Mainaky," Yap said of the former top Indonesian doubles champion with Ricky Subagja.

He obviously holds no hard feelings for his 1996 Olympic final defeat, with partner Cheah Soon Kit, to the Indonesian pair in a thrilling 15-12 deciding game. (004)