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)