Sigit is ready for new challenge after suspension
JAKARTA (JP): Nov. 15, 1998, was the most unforgettable day for Indonesia men's doubles shuttler Sigit Budiarto as the International Badminton Federation (IBF) announced he was banned from competition for using anabolic steroid.
Sigit claimed that he accepted the decision but he thought at the moment that his career would be over.
After one year of suspension, Sigit is ready to face the tough competition in the badminton world by testing himself in the China Open starting Monday with new partner Halim Heryanto.
"I'm going to restart my career. I feel a bit worried as I have been absent from competition for one year and something's missing inside me. I'm traumatized with the doping test," he said after training session at the Indonesian Badminton Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta.
PBSI expects Sigit and Halim to qualify for the 2000 Olympics. With seven tournaments to go -- China Open, Hong Kong Open, Chinese Taipei Open, South Korea Open, Switzerland Open, All England and Swedish Open -- they have to reach, at least, semifinals of all tournaments.
"I have a mounting motivation to win all my matches as I used to be. But Halim and I have never partnered in real tournaments before. The most difficult thing is to gain the competitiveness spirit. It's important to deal with the pressure on the court. The China Open will be our first test.If we can overcome the barrier, I'm optimistic we can qualify for the Olympics," said Sigit, who was born in Yogyakarta on Nov. 24, 1975.
"I have learned that people have to be patience when they are being suspended. It's really important to me. To be frankly, I felt as an outsider in the center."
Sigit won the 1997 world champion title together with former partner Candra Wijaya.
In August 1998, they won the Singapore Open title but Sigit was tested positive for consuming nandrolone, which was included on the International Olympic Committee's list of banned substances.
Besides, the suspension, both Candra and Sigit had to forfeit their US$10,115 prize money and Sigit was also fined $2,000.
Halim, who formerly partnered Tony, said he and Sigit have tried to communicate better after practice to improve their performance.
"I always try to discuss with Sigit on our mistakes and we'll try to evaluate our training. Sigit is quite an open person and he's very patient. He can boost my motivation and calm me down in critical situation," said Halim, who was born on Sept. 23, 1976.
Halim and Sigit have prepared for two months to compete in the China Open.
PBSI training director, Christian Hadinata, said both Halim and Sigit were expected to make spectacular performances in all tournaments they compete.
"They start from zero but they must reach the world top 16. It's a hard duty but we'll see if they can accomplish their mission. If they can beat top seeds in a tournament, they'll get bonus points from the IBF and it will also boost their confidence," he said.
Christian said PBSI would observe the new duo performance in their four tournaments.
"If the results are bad, we will consider to send them in the other three tournaments," he said.
PBSI official in charge of athletes development, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar, expressed optimism that Sigit and Halim were ready to face the tough challenge.
"Sigit has turned into a new person. He's more disciplined than before and he never hangs out every night anymore. He keeps exercising not only technically but also physically," he said. (yan)