Surya dominates table tennis All Star

Surya dominates table tennis All Star

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Surya Kediri of East Java proved its
domination in table tennis nationwide by sweeping three of four
titles at the All Star match at Ngurah Rai Stadium on Saturday.

Women's doubles Yulianti Fauziah and Putri Hasibuan managed to
oust teammates Christine Feliana and Nilasari in the final 11-21,
22-20, 22-20.

Santi and Ratna of Surya and Rossy Dipoyanti and Nuni Sugiani
of Gani Arta Bandung jointly finished third after losing in the
semifinals.

The winner earned Rp 3 million (US$316) while the runner-up
received Rp 1.5 million. Third finishers got Rp 750,000 each.

Surya also earned the top spot in the women's singles after
Christine managed to defeat veteran teammate Putri 21-11, 18-21,
21-16 in a very tough match to earn Rp 3 million. Putri bagged Rp
1.5 million while Nilasari and Nuni, third finishers, pocketed Rp
750,000.

Deddy Da Costa presented the third victory for Surya after
comfortably eliminating veteran and former national champion
Hadiyudo Prayitno of HCIYS-Supralon of Surabaya 21-13, 21-18.
Deddy pocketed Rp 8 million and Hadiyudo brought home Rp 4
million. Yon Margiono of Surya and Ismu Harinto of Gani Arta
jointly finished third and each earned Rp 1 million.

HCIYS-Supralon took the men's doubles title thanks to Ersan
and Hadiyudo who managed to beat Zaenudin and David Yacob of
Palma Jakarta 22-20, 21-10. The winner took Rp 5 million while
runner-up got RP 2 million. Third finishers of Budiono and Jelly
of Gani Arta and Deddy Da Costa and Yon Margiono took home Rp 1
million each.

Surya executive director Diana Wuisan Tedjasukmana said that
her club would recruit two coaches from China.

"Previously, Surya contracted Liu Shixu of China for the
women's sector for four years starting 1994. But due to the 1998
riots, the coach returned to China," Diana said as quoted by
Antara.

For the men's sector, Surya had contracted Zhang Shi Xiang and
Lu Xian Zhao for two years. Hopefully both will start coaching in
Kediri soon.

"Technically and strategically, China is the best and
strongest in table tennis. Therefore, Indonesia is trying to
learn valuable lessons from the coaches," Diana said.

Speaking of Indonesia's chances in the Kuala Lumpur Southeast
Asian (SEA) Games in September, Diana said national players would
have little chance of winning golds.

"It will be difficult for Indonesia to win golds in the Games
as many neighboring countries have hired Chinese players to
represent them."

Diana named Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam as the toughest
rivals at the biennial event. (zen/yan)