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)