Sigit is ready for new challenge after suspension

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)