Sigit accepts IBF's doping decision
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)