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)