Not much change forecast in world of badminton
Not much change forecast in world of badminton
JAKARTA (JP): World badminton standings won't change much with Indonesia's men shuttlers reigning throughout next year, coach Triaji predicted on Tuesday.
An all-Indonesian final at the US$325,000 World Grand Prix badminton finals in Singapore earlier this month indicated that Indonesia's foothold in the men's singles remained as solid as ever, Triaji said.
In the all-Indonesian finals, veteran Joko Suprianto conquered defending champion Ardy Wiranata 15-3, 6-15, 15-6 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Triaji offered his forecast on Tuesday after the Indonesian contingent to the just-concluded 18th Southeast Asian Games in Chiang Mai, Thailand, was formally dismissed at the National Sports Council headquarters.
"Next year's badminton tournaments, including the badminton competition at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, will see more or less the same players we saw at the Singapore GP finals," Triaji insisted.
Next year two important badminton events for Indonesian male shuttlers, the Thomas Cup in May and the Atlanta Olympic Games in July, will be held. Indonesia is very likely to defend the Cup and snatch the Olympic gold medal in the men's singles, Triaji said.
But he also warned that in the men's doubles, threats will come from China and Malaysia.
At the Chiang Mai SEA Games, Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit and Yam Kim Hock shot down world number one doubles Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky 15-13, 15-9.
China's Dong Jiong is gaining skill and European veterans can become dark horses in the men's singles.
In Tokyo, Indonesian and Chinese ace shuttlers top the seed of the 15th Yonex Open badminton championships scheduled to begin on Jan. 16 and conclude on Jan. 21.
Japan
Host Japan will try to hold South Korea because Indonesia and China are too strong for Japanese shuttlers, Takeshi Azama, chairman of the Japan Badminton Association, was quoted as saying by Antara on Tuesday.
Thirty countries, including Sweden, England, Australia, Russia, Chinese Taipei and Denmark, will compete in the US$150,000 Tokyo championships.
To secure a berth in the Atlanta Olympic Games, Yonex Open participants must collect points from the two other championships in Chinese Taipei and France.
Badminton queen Susi Susanti, world number one singles Haryanto Arbi and doubles Ricky and Rexy won last year's Yonex Open.
China's Ge Fei and Gu Jun won last year's women's doubles, while Denmark's Thomas Lund and Marlene Thomsen clinched the mixed doubles. (arf)
Line-up of Indonesian shuttlers at Yonex Open
Men's singles: Haryanto Arbi, Joko Suprianto, Alan Budikusuma, Ardi Wiranata, Hermawan Susanto.
Women's singles: Susi Susanti, Mia Audina, Lidya Djaelawidjaya.
Men's doubles: Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky, Gunawan/Bambang Suprianto, Tony Gunawan and Rudy Wijaya.
Women's doubles: Lili Tampi/Finarsih, Eliza/Zelin Resiana.
Mixed doubles: Trikus Heryanto/Minarti Timur.