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)