Seeded teams get easy wins in National Championships

Seeded teams get easy wins in National Championships

By Novan Iman Santosa

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan (JP): Fortified by their national shuttlers, seeded teams found no trouble in their campaign on the first day of the Inter-club National Badminton Championship's round-robin tournament at Hasanuddin HM Sport Hall on Tuesday.

Playing in group A, top seed Jakarta-based Jaya Raya club, dominated by national shuttlers, demolished young players from Keshab Samarinda, East Kalimantan, 5-0.

Bambang Suprihanto and Emma Ermawati achieved the first victory for their club by ousting Agus Sukoco and Titiek 15-5, 15-3. Women's singles Lidya Djaelawidjaya convincingly beat Rachmawati 15-2, 15-2.

Junior Hendra Setiawan survived his test to defeat Fahrizal 15-0, 15-8 in the men's singles while in the women's doubles, Deyana Lomban and Carmelita were too powerful for Rahmawati and Titiek to win 15-4, 15-1.

Olympic champions Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan sealed Jaya Raya's victory by beating Agus Sukoco and Suhardian 15-9 and 15-4 in a crowd-pulling match.

Facing Olympic gold medalists, Agus and Suhardian did not loose their grip and gave their best resistance.

"It was such a precious and rare lesson for us to face world class players like Tony and Candra. We learned a lot of lessons today," Suhardian told reporters after the match.

"We are only kampong shuttlers but we have the opportunity to meet those of world class caliber."

In Group B, Surabaya-based Surya Naga Gudang Garam easily beat Kusuma of Klaten, Central Java, 5-0.

Mixed doubles Tri Kusherjanto and Angelina barely broke into a sweat to beat Aditya and Villa 15-6, 15-5 followed by Yenny Diah who defeated Tri Handayani 15-0, 15-1 in the women's singles. Jeffer Rosobin contributed the third point by beating Agung Kuncoro 15-2, 15-2 in the men's singles.

In the women's doubles, Ernita and Yunita beat Villa and Tri Handayani 15-3, 15-1 while Alvent and Agung received some resistance before beating Aditya S and Agus Kuncoro 15-10, 15-12 in the men's doubles.

Fourth seed Bandung-based SGS scored a victory over Bima Unesa of East Java without losing a single game in Group C.

World number two Taufik Hidayat eliminated Sulistyo 15-9, 15-6 in the men's singles followed by mixed pair of Imam Sodikin and Rita K who defeated Arif S and Maida Sukmawati 15-12, 15-7. Women's singles Yuli Marfuah gave a free lesson to Dina Aryanti by winning 15-3, 15-1.

"I didn't want to take any chances. I put pressure on her immediately so as to not let her lead the game," Yuli said. "Besides, I haven't tried the hall yet. It's so hot here."

Men's doubles Flandy Limpele and Halim Haryanto had to stretch themselves before crushing Sulistyo and Denny Indiarto 15-10, 15- 9. Women's doubles Lita Nurlita and Rita Kristiane beat Dian Purwani and Nike Kusumawati 15-5, 15-7.

Another favorite, Jakarta-based Tangkas, seeded third, convincingly defeated host team Malindo in their Group F encounter by giving no more than five points away in each game.

Olympic silver medalist Hendrawan started the team's run of victory by disposing of Suryadi Alam 15-5, 15-2 in the men's singles followed by mixed doubles Budi Santoso and Novita victory after crushing Herdian and Lasma Charmila 15-4, 15-1.

Women's doubles Cynthia Tuwankotta and Enny W beat Astina S and Lasma Charmila 15-0, 15-1 while Ricky Subagja and Endra Mulyono beat M. Padlan and Suryansyah 15-4, 15-3 in the men's doubles. Women's singles Mona Santoso won easily over Syahriatun 15-0, 15-2 in the women's singles.

Defending champion Djarum Kudus also had an easy win, 5-0 over Kusuma of Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, in Group H.