Sigit wants to be world no. 1 again

Sigit wants to be world no. 1 again

SURABAYA (JP): Being dethroned because of a mistake was the
most bitter moment for former world number one men's doubles
player Sigit Budiarto. A year's absence from the court has been
enough for him to improve his attitude and sharpen his vision in
badminton.

"I want to be as successful as I used to be, but I know it
will take time. Moreover, there are so many talented men's
shuttlers now," he said before his Central Java team battled
against Jakarta in the men's team event in the 15th National
Games (PON) at the Soedirman badminton hall here on Friday.

The Central Java shuttlers trained at the Indonesian Badminton
Center in Cipayung, East Jakarta, including men's singles
Hariyanto Arbi, Budi Santoso and Johan Hadikusuma. Sigit
partnered with Antonius Budi Ariantho while Andreas was with
Denny Kantono.

The team managed to crush the Jakarta team 3-2 for the gold
late on Friday.

Sigit, noted for his energetic performance on court and the
perfect pair he and cool-headed Chandra Wijaya made, was banned
from competing in national and international events for one year
after failing a drug test in the five-star Singapore Open
badminton championships in 1998. At the time they were world
champions after beating Malaysians Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim
Hock in the 1997 world championships in Glasgow.

Due to the incident, he lost his number one position and
Candra took on new partner Tony Gunawan. They are now number one
in the world.

In November 1999, Sigit made a comeback, but it was too late
for him and new partner Halim Heryanto to pursue world ranking to
qualify for the Olympic Games in Sydney in September.

"I hope I can compete in the 2004 Olympics. I want to be
number one again. I know I can be outshone by juniors, but I have
to take the risk. In the past, we also surpassed our seniors to
be in the spotlight," said Sigit, who was born in Yogyakarta on
Nov. 24, 1975.

Sigit said he was trying to develop contact with an assortment
of people in the event that he decided to quit badminton.

"I try to expand my relationships and have more friends. I'm
not planning to ask them for help when I have no money or no job,
but I try to extend my point of view over the current state of
affairs," he said.

Despite his one-year absence, Sigit is still remembered by
badminton fans. He has played in five international tournaments,
including the Thomas Cup championships in Kuala Lumpur last
month.

While talking to The Jakarta Post, a man approached Sigit and
asked if he would pose for a photo with the man's toddler. Sigit
held the toddler while the man took a snapshot.

"I want to take pictures with the other top players too," said
the joyful father before approaching Hariyanto.

Sigit remarked: "I'm happy that people still remember me, as
long as they recall the good side of me." (ivy)