South Korean cup selections stun RI badminton coaches
South Korean cup selections stun RI badminton coaches
JAKARTA (JP): South Korea's surprising doubles partnerships in
both the Thomas and Uber Cups will pose a dangerous threat to
Indonesia, national coaches warn.
Indonesia's men's doubles coach Christian Hadinata said
yesterday he was amazed at learning that South Korea put
Barcelona Olympic gold medalist Park Joo-bong in its second men's
doubles team.
Park, despite his "old" age of 34, is known for his
versatility and ability to team up with virtually any other South
Korean partner.
"Any South Korean shuttler paired with Park can be more
dangerous than South Korea's first men's doubles team of Yoo
Yong-sung and Kim Dong-moon," Christian, a doubles legend,
warned.
According to Christian, however, China, South Korea, Denmark
and Malaysia's men's duos are by no means inferior. Their doubles
teams have all defeated Indonesia's world number one pair of
Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky.
A cosmetic approach is also being used by South Korea to deal
with its women's doubles teams. National women's doubles coach
Imelda Wiguna said that South Korea's daring strategy of
switching around its established doubles teams may indicate that
they are of equal quality.
"South Korea's fondness of shuffling its doubles players has
confused me from reading its strengths and weaknesses," Imelda
said.
She added that she was not sure whether her world number seven
charges, Eliza and Zelin Resiana, and 12-ranked duo of Lili Tampi
and Finarsih can beat their South Korean opponents.
Zelin has yet to fully recover from typhus, which she
contracted shortly after the Islamic New Year in February. "At
yesterday's practice, Zelin didn't play well. Apparently she is
still too weak to undergo the full stint," Imelda said.
South Korea's doubles team of Gil Young-ah and Jang Hye-ock is
currently the world number one, ahead of China's partnership of
Ge Fei and Gu Jun. "These two pairs are currently the world's
strongest," Imelda said, "The rest are of equal skills."
Singles
In a work-out watched by Chairman of the National Sports
Council Wismoyo Arismunandar yesterday, world women's singles
number 10 Mia Audina was seen with both her legs strapped. Mia's
coach Retno Kustiyah said that Mia would remain so protected
until the Olympic Games in Atlanta are over.
"She is not fully recovered yet," Retno told reporters.
However, Mia, who clinched the all-important win in
Indonesia's 3-2 victory over China in the 1994 Uber Cup final,
insisted that she was well and fit enough for competitions.
Retno said Mia forced herself to play despite the fear of
being struck down with injury. Mia injured her knee in the Grand
Prix finals in Singapore last December and from that point on has
seen her world ranking drop from five to ten.
Men's team coach Triadji also said that world champion
Hariyanto Arbi has not fully regained his self-confidence since
suffering an early exit in All England Championship in March.
The 23-year-old player is known for his erratic shots once the
game extends into three sets. "But now he is more patient and
able to vary his rhythm," Triadji said.
Christian, Imelda, Retno and other coaches Triadji and Liu
Chiu Sia, were briefing sports council chairman Wismoyo, who
toured the national training camp in Cilangkap, East Jakarta
yesterday prior to Indonesia's Thomas Cup and Uber Cup title
defense campaigns in Hong Kong from May 16 to May 26.
Indonesia's Thomas and Uber Cuppers yesterday rehearsed at
noon (session one) and at 6.30 p.m. (session two) to emulate the
Cups' schedules. (arf)