RI shuttlers lead GP finals placing

RI shuttlers lead GP finals placing

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttlers dominate the placing of the world badminton grand prix finals in Singapore next week, the International Badminton Federation announced yesterday.

World champion Hariyanto Arbi will lead six Indonesian men's singles players to the season-ending tournament. Hariyanto, who made a triumphant comeback early this month at the Hong Kong Open after a two-month lay-off, tops the world rankings and looks certain to top the seeding list next week.

Along with Hariyanto, Joko Suprianto, defending champion Ardy Wiranata, newly-married Hermawan Susanto, Olympic gold medalist Alan Budikusuma and Hendrawan will make a trip to Singapore.

Only three Indonesian female singles players have qualified for the lucrative badminton tournament. Title holder Susi Susanti will be accompanied by her juniors Mia Audina and Lydia Djaelawidjaja.

Susi, who is nursing a leg injury, is expected to resume her bitter rivalry against Chinese world champion Ye Zhaoying and South Korean Bang Soo-hyun, who beat her in the China Open semifinals.

In the men's doubles, Indonesia took half of the eight qualifying berths. The Indonesian doubles team will parade world champions Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky, world number three Gunawan/Bambang Suprianto, Denny Kantono/Antonius and newcomers Tony Gunawan/ Rudy Wijaya.

Eliza and Zelin Resiana will become the only Indonesian pair to play in the women's doubles. The same fate falls to World Cup mixed doubles winners Minarti Timur and Trikus Heryanto.

Only the top 16 singles players and eight teams of each gender are eligible for the year-end tournament. The mixed doubles is also restricted to eight pairs.

Indonesia swept three titles in the 1994 finals through Hariyanto, Susi and the pair of Ricky and Rexy. (amd)