Shuttler Flandy eyes SEAG gold

Shuttler Flandy eyes SEAG gold

JAKARTA (JP): National men's doubles shuttler Flandy Limpele
expressed eagerness to win the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian (SEA)
Games gold medal after his failure in the final two years ago.

"I personally hope to win the gold medal this year. I intend
to take revenge after only earning a silver at the 1999 Games in
Brunei Darussalam," said Flandy at the sidelines of the physical
test at the Madya Stadium at Bung Karno Sports Complex, Central
Jakarta, Thursday.

"But the competition will be tougher this year. We are not
only challenging Pramote Teerawiwatana and Tesana Pansisavas of
Thailand, who eventually defeated us for the gold, we are also
fighting against Malaysians Choong Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah to
get the final berth."

The world number one Flandy, partnering Eng Hian, has never
won against the Thais. They were beaten in the first round of the
Japan Open early this month.

"Pramote is a very senior player and he can easily predict Eng
Hian's ball. It will be very difficult to achieve my goal if they
compete but I am very eager to win a SEA Games gold."

Flandy and Eng Hian will also face a tough challenge from
Malaysia's second best pair Chew Choon Eng and Chan Chong Ming.

However, Flandy was still worried about Eng Hian's calf
injury, which prevented him performing well at the Japan Open.

"If Eng Hian doesn't forced himself to train for a period of
time, I believe he'll recover and will be able to compete at the
Games. Besides, we still have several months to prepare."

The Games will be slated from Sept. 8 to Sept. 17. Flandy and
Eng Hian are eying a victory at the World Championships in
Seville, Spain, in May, but they must also compete with world
number 10 and former world champions Candra Wijaya and Sigit
Budiarto and world number 11 and All England winners Tony Gunawan
and Halim Heryanto.

Flandy, a former mixed doubles specialist, also hoped for a
chance to compete in the mixed event.

"I can guarantee a gold in the mixed doubles because our
toughest rivals will only come from Thailand and Malaysia."

Indonesia failed to bring home the mixed doubles gold after
its best duo of Wahyu Agung and Emma Ermawati were upset by Chew
Choon Eng and Chor Hoi Yee of Malaysia. Their defeat ended
Indonesia's 20-year domination of the discipline.

In contrast, women's singles defending champion Cindana
Hartono was unsure of her chances to compete at the biennial
event following her prolonged knee injury which she suffered
early last year.

"I still have no idea if I will be picked for the Games team.
But I will compete at the Jakarta Open next week to see how far I
can go. If I can perform well, maybe I'll join the squad."

Cindana, who injured her knee in the 2000 Uber Cup selection,
won the 1999 Games gold after beating Thai Sujitra
Eakmongkolpaisarn.

Twenty shuttlers underwent physical tests, conducted by the
National Sports Council (KONI), as a preparation for the Games.
(nvn/yan)