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)