Sony Dwi Kuncoro, a future star to replace seniors
Sony Dwi Kuncoro, a future star to replace seniors
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): The Badminton Association of
Indonesia (PBSI) made the right decision by admitting Sony Dwi
Kuncoro in its training program, as the 17-year-old boy has shown
great talent since the 1999 Indonesia Open in Bali.
World champion Hendrawan and two-time All England finalist
Taufik Hidayat even named Sony as their future substitute.
Sony told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the 2001 Milo
Junior Indonesia Open that becoming both shuttlers' practice
partner inspired him to follow their steps.
"Hendrawan is really a master of net games with plenty of
scanning or feinting movements. Playing the game slowly only to
speed it up suddenly to grab points," Sony said.
"Being his practice partner has also improved my game strategy
although I need more training and experience to further refine
it."
"As for Taufik, I did beat him several times during training
but that meant nothing. I guess Taufik only lost intentionally to
me. I'm sure Taufik will give his best and play all out if we
meet in a tournament instead of a sparring session."
Sony, who was born in Surabaya on July 7, 1984, was admitted
to the center in February and has improved his technique and
speed ever since.
"Coach Joko Supriyanto always emphasizes the importance of
being disciplined during training and even in our daily lives. He
usually gets annoyed if our rooms are messy."
"He doesn't even allow us to bring our TV sets, motorcycles or
cars to the center. We have to wait until we have proved
ourselves and become champions."
The youngest of two siblings started to learn badminton at the
age of seven from father Muhammad Sumaji, a coach at the
Surabaya-based Wisma Citra Nusantara club.
"I joined the club when I was nine. I'm still registered with
the club now."
The last time Sony represented his club was at the 2001
National Junior Championships in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan,
where he lost to eventual champion Ardiansyah of Jakarta-based
Tangkas Bogasari.
Sony's best results so far were runner-up at the 2000 World
Junior Championships in Guangzhou, China and the 2000 Asian
Junior Championships in Japan.
"I lost to Bao Chunlai in Guangzhou and to Lin Dan in Japan.
Bao also beat me at the 2000 German Open quarterfinals."
"The Chinese shuttlers usually play fast. If we are able to
hold them to a rubber-set match, then they usually lose their
accuracy and control."
"It's the typical style of East Asian shuttlers. As long as we
can return their shots and have better physical fitness, I
believe we can win the match."
Sony said that he loves Vespa scooters and will buy more when
he has enough money.
"My father and I always used to ride a scooter to the training
hall. I started to love scooters and hope to develop my hobby of
modifying scooters." (nvn)