Shuttlers battle it out for badminton glory

After 10 days of competition, Sunday marked the end of this year's Thomas and Uber Cups. While the players may be leaving, many will be taking with them memories to last a life time.

They chopped deceivingly, smashed deeply and delivered cunning drop shots and smart flicks over the net -- all part of lightening-quick plots to bring down their opponents.

They scoured the court, ran to every corner, stretched their legs wide, and made high dives to defend their country's honor.

And finally it was China which proved it had the mettle to be the winner in the biennial world team badminton championships. China's women retained the Uber Cup for four consecutive times, while their male compatriots had the chance to regain the Thomas Cup after it last won 1990. They were battling against Denmark in the final.

Indonesia, meanwhile, was left biting its hand. Roaring spectators inside the 10,000-capacity stadium ended up in silence after the Danish 3-2 victory, their players proving tough competitors who were unintimidated by the home crowd.

Adrianti Firdasari's outstanding performance throughout the competition could not stop the women's team from exiting in the quarterfinals, while an overwhelming run by Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Taufik Hidayat was not enough to bring the defending Thomas Cup champion to the final.

But you can't keep winning for ever. Indonesia has relinquished the Thomas Cup trophy it has held a record five consecutive times since 1994. Thomas Cup and Uber Cup winners will return home triumphantly, while newcomers New Zealand, South Africa and Canada have tasted the rigors of the championships for the first time.

As one journey ends, another begins. There will be plenty of challenges on the road ahead to the 2006 championships in Tokyo and Sendai.

Text by Musthofid, photos by R. Berto Wedhatama