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)