RI to field 23 shuttlers in Grand Prix finals
RI to field 23 shuttlers in Grand Prix finals
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has firmly set its sights on sweeping
at least three of the four titles up for grabs in the Grand Prix
Finals from Dec. 7-12 in Bangkok, where it will parade a total of
22 shuttlers in the season-ending badminton tournament.
"Barring any unforeseeable circumstances and major upsets, we
are very upbeat about reaching this target," coach Indra Gunawan
said.
At last year's Grand Prix Finals Indonesia made a clean sweep
of all four gold medals at stake -- winning the men's singles
through Joko Suprianto, the women's singles by Susi Susanti, the
men's doubles through Gunawan and Bambang Suprianto and women's
doubles by Lili Tampi and Finarsih.
Indonesia's dominance in last year's Grand Prix finals was
illustrated by the fact that the finals in the men's singles,
men's doubles and women's doubles all featured all-Indonesian
affairs.
Joko beat compatriot Hariyanto Arbi in a memorable all
Indonesian final 11-15, 15-2, 15-1.
Susi also justified her world number one ranking by coolly
disposing of China's Ye Zhaoying 11-3, 12-9.
Veterans Gunawan and Bambang stunned their higher ranked
compatriots Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja in a see-saw final 11-
15, 15-12, 15-9.
The women's tandem of Lili and Finarsih got the better of
their junior training mates Zelin Resiana and Eliza 15-11, 15-10.
The Grand Prix Finals is a select event in which entries were
restricted to those ranked among the top 13 in the latest world
ranking following the China Open last week. The host is allowed
to pick three wildcarders to fill up the 16-field competition in
both men's and women's singles.
After the China Open, Indonesia placed the highest number of
players in world rankings both in the men's and women's singles.
World number one Ardy Wiranata tops the list of the Indonesian
men's singles players eligible for the Bangkok meet who also
include Hariyanto (third), China Open winner Alan Budikusuma (5),
Joko Suprianto (6), Hermawan Susanto (7), Fung Permadi (9) and
Lioe Tiong Ping (10).
Denny Kantono and Antonius, the German Open men's doubles
winners, will join senior teammates of Ricky/Rexy and
Bambang/Gunawan in Bangkok. The national number three duo are
making their finals debut. (bas)