Sigit accepts IBF's doping decision
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian men's doubles badminton world champion Sigit Budiarto said on Wednesday he had accepted a one- year suspension imposed by the International Badminton Federation (IBF) for failing a dope test.
The 22-year-old shuttler was banned after the anabolic steroid Nandrolone was found in his urine samples taken at the Singapore Open in August, a competition he won.
"Thank God because I will only serve half the usual sentence. I feel relieved and pleased with the PBSI's (Badminton Association of Indonesia) efforts during the hearing last week," said Sigit.
Sigit was also fined US$2,000 and had to forfeit both the title and prize money he shared with Candra Wijaya.
An emotional Sigit also thanked his parents for their encouragement despite the blot that now tarnishes his illustrious career.
"They have been prepared for such a bitter decision, and yet they still give me their full confidence," he said at the national badminton center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.
Candra and Sigit saved Indonesia's blushes in the 1997 World Championships by winning the men's doubles title.
PBSI vice chairman Agus Wirahadikusumah said on Tuesday the association would file an appeal to have Sigit's punishment cut to six months.
"I don't know about the plan to appeal. But if the association wants to do that, I can only support it," said Sigit, whose suspension runs until Nov. 15, 1999.
Sigit said he was considering taking English and computer courses while serving the punishment.
He said he did not think he would lose his brilliance during his enforced layoff.
"I'm practicing with world-class players like Ricky (Subagja) and Rexy (Mainaky), Candra and Tony (Gunawan) or Antonius and Denny (Kantono). I'm sure I won't miss anything during the next year," Sigit, a native of Yogyakarta, said.
Sigit said he was ready to risk separating from Candra, who will pick a new, and perhaps permanent, partner. The pair are currently ranked fifth on the IBF list.
"I don't mind if Candra teams up with players other than me. I'm ready to lose my partner and even my world ranking," he said.
Tony will partner Candra in place of Sigit in the Asian Games next month. Poor physical fitness restricted Sigit to only playing four tournaments this season. He was hospitalized twice this year due to typhoid.
The head of the badminton center, Christian Hadinata, hinted men's singles player Marlev Mainaky could miss the Asiad due to a knee injury.
Marlev complained about his pain long before he made a defense of his Indonesia Open title last month. He crashed to compatriot Budi Santoso in the quarterfinals. (yan)