RI defector Audina hoping to sparkle in Sydney

RI defector Audina hoping to sparkle in Sydney

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP): At just 20 years of age,
Holland's Indonesian-born badminton star Mia Audina has crammed
so much into a turbulent career she ought to have one of the
wisest heads on Olympic shoulders.

Six years ago, the sublimely gifted badminton player was the
toast of the nation after holding her nerve amazingly to help
Indonesia's women lift the Uber Cup in Jakarta in a tense final
rubber.

At 14 she appeared to have the world at her feet. Two years
later her quality was borne out once again when as a 16-year-old
she reached the women's singles final at the Atlanta Olympics.

Facing South Korea's Bang Soo-hyun, she led 6-5 in the first
game and 7-5 in the second, but Bang's extra experience told and
the Korean took gold winning 11-6, 11-7.

Nevertheless Audina's silver-medal performance confirmed what
the badminton world already knew. Here was a world number one in
waiting.

But the years between Atlanta and Sydney have been difficult
for Audina, to say the least.

In April last year her mother died. Prior to that she had
already fallen out spectacularly with Indonesia's badminton
officialdom.

Audina, engaged to a Dutch gospel singer and settled happily
in the Netherlands, wanted to shuttle back and forth to Indonesia
for international training.

The badminton authorities demanded she live in Indonesia
however, and when she refused she was unceremoniously dumped from
the international set-up. Talk of her retirement was rampant.

But refreshed from a break, which had seen her become a
naturalized Dutch citizen, she announced her desire to represent
the Netherlands in Sydney.

Initially the Indonesian Badminton Association had been
expected to block the request, but when they agreed the way was
clear for Audina to start her Olympic preparations in earnest.

The break from the game has left her yet to rediscover her
best form, and she had a torrid time in the Indonesian Open in
July.

The Jakarta crowd booed her mercilessly during a quarterfinals
defeat to Indonesia's Lidya Djaelawidjaja. Typically, Audina
remained unfazed.

"I know how I can play, and that's all that matters. I'm not
worried by any of my results this year... all that matters are
the results in Sydney," she said.