Susi and Joko aim to win Sony Open

Susi and Joko aim to win Sony Open

JAKARTA (JP): Defending champions Susi Susanti and Joko
Suprianto are keen to retain their national titles at the 1997
Sony Badminton Indonesia Open next month in Surakarta, Central
Java.

"I haven't won any championships this year. I hope I can win
the title and win the championship for the fifth time," Susi said
yesterday.

"It's good that the championship will take place not in the
capital because, hopefully, the Badminton Association of
Indonesia can get new talent to replace us in the future," she
said.

Joko, who still has a leg injury, said he hoped he could win
in his hometown.

"It will mean a lot to me if I can win in my hometown. I hope
more fans will support our national shuttlers. However, our
chances will be better than at last year's event because more
world players will compete here," he said.

All England champion Dong Jiong and World Championship runner
up Sun Jun, from China, will compete in the event from July 16 to
July 20.

Olympic gold medalist Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen and World
Champion Peter Rasmussen, both from Denmark, have yet to confirm
their entry, but Denmark is certain to send its best players.

In the women's event, All England champion and World Champion
Ye Zhaoying and world championship runner-up Gong Zhichao, from
China, will also compete.

Olympic gold medalists Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky and world
champion Chandra Wijaya/Sigit Budiarto will challenge
defending champion Antonius/Denny Kantono, the Olympic bronze
medalists, in the men's doubles.

Susi and Joko said they would compete in the Malaysia Open,
which is a week before the Indonesia Open, as a warm up.

"I have enough time to prepare for the Indonesia Open and I
have tried hard to improve my physical condition. I will use the
Malaysian Open as a warm up before the Surakarta championship,"
Susi said.

The Indonesian Open offers US$200,000 in cash prizes, $25,000
more than last year, as a preparation to become part of the
Badminton Grand Slam, which will start in 1999.

Canada, England, Finland, Guatemala, India, the Netherlands
have also confirmed their participation in the Indonesian Open.

Organizers are still waiting for Malaysia's confirmation.
(yan)