Shuttler Markis dreams of becoming the best
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Combining the speed of former world champion Sun Jun of China with the persistence of newly crowned world champion Hendrawan of Indonesia is a dream in the making for junior shuttler Markis Kido.
"Combining both styles is my dream for becoming one of Indonesia's best shuttlers in the future," Markis told The Jakarta Post at the sidelines of the 2001 Milo Junior Indonesia Open here.
"Sun Jun used to have good physical fitness, while Hendrawan possesses high spirits and persistence. Hendrawan is also good in his netting game, sending the shuttlecock in unpredictable directions."
Sun retired after sloppy performance following back injury in the 1999 Asia Cup in Vietnam. He blamed coach Tong Sin Fu for the injury.
Markis, however, realized he had to improve his own physical fitness before reaching his ultimate dream.
"I also need more experience, especially by competing in more tournaments abroad."
Born on Aug. 11, 1984, Markis started to play badminton when his friends asked him to join them in enrolling in a badminton club, Dian Jaya in Bekasi in 1993.
"I remember that I instantly fell in love with the sport, as I found the game was very interesting. I then moved to Jaya Raya to further develop my game in 1998."
His achievements include winning the boys' singles title in the 1994 Jakarta badminton championships and runner-up at the 2000 Aqua Trophy Master and Kudus badminton circuit.
The second of four children, he was also the 2000 Dutch Open Junior finalist when he was defeated by compatriot Ardiansyah. Markis was also a member of Indonesia's winning men's team at the 2000 Asian Junior Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
The son of Djumhar Bey Anwar of Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, and Yul Asteria Zakaria of Pontianak, West Kalimantan, he also reached the semifinals at the 2001 National Junior Championships in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, before being defeated by Sony Dwi Kuncoro.
Recruited to the Indonesian Badminton Center (PBI) early this year, Markis is an all-round shuttler with skills to play boys' singles, boys' doubles and mixed doubles well.
"I used to play in doubles also. During the Junior World Championships in Guangzhou, China, I teamed up with Hendra Gunawan of Bandung-based Hadtex in the boys' doubles. We lost to the Chinese pair of Sang Yang and Zhan Bo," he said.
"Being in the center has improved my game, especially making me realize that I can play an attacking game instead of rallying. I want to be more aggressive."
Markis said he learned a valuable lesson by becoming practice partner to seniors Hendrawan and Budi Santoso at the center.
"I always lost in the training games, although I knew they never stretched themselves. That's why I have to work harder to reach my dream," he said. "When? I don't know, I'll just do my best." (nvn)