Susi takes out Thai shuttler to seize gold
Susi takes out Thai shuttler to seize gold
CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): Local badminton heroine
Somharuthaui Jeroensiri failed to add insult to injury in the
18th Southeast Asian Games here yesterday when she crashed to
Indonesian Susi Susanti in the women's singles final.
It took title holder Susi only less than 20 minutes to seal
the persistent challenge of the Thai woman, scoring a thumping
11-2, 11-4 win that handed Indonesia its sixth badminton gold.
However, Indonesia failed to live up to its pre-match boast of
sweeping all seven golds in badminton when Malaysian doubles team
Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock shot down Indonesia's fast tiring
combination of Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky 15-13, 15-9.
The reigning Thomas Cup and Uber Cup champion Indonesia bagged
both the men's team and women's team on Wednesday.
Needless to say, Indonesia took three more top honors in three
all-Indonesia finals yesterday. Joko Suprianto defied his age to
down Ardy Wiranata 15-10, 15-9 for his second successive laurels
in the biennial event.
Lili Tampi gave no trace of a nagging injury when she teamed
up solidly with Finarsih to beat their juniors Eliza and Zelin
Resiana 15-9, 15-3. Lili had battled it out to beat her leg
injury on her way to the SEA Games.
Another Indonesian affair yesterday was won by World Grand
Prix Finals mixed doubles champions Minarti and Tri Kusharyanto
who beat Denny Kantono and Eliza 15-8, 15-4 in a match which
served as an academic interest.
Susi, who made her first appearance after a whole month lay-
off due to a strained Achiless tendon, played an efficient game
which was highlighted by her masterpiece overhead lobs. A dancing
Susi had Somharuthai running as she made a swift first-set win.
The experienced Indonesian did not loosen her consistent
pressures on the struggling Thai in the second set. Point by
point went to Susi's score sheet as the home favorite drilled her
unforced mistakes.
Susi never let her rival come closer nor take a breath. There
was no single changeover as Susi soared to the match point
against four. A tired looking Somharuthai netted her lob return
to give Susi the victory.
Shaky
A shaky defense was blamed for Indonesia's world men's team
champions' loss to an in-form Malaysian duo. Rexy and Ricky found
themselves on the receiving end throughout the match which was
filled with nose-dive smashes drilled by the Malaysians.
The Malaysians never let their spirit down, pommeling the
Indonesians with a flurry of powerful strokes without very many
equal replies.
The Indonesian pair, who withdrew from the Grand Prix Finals
at the last minute due to Rexy's back injury, made a stubborn
challenge at first.
It was the second time for Cheah to beat the same Indonesian
rivals in the SEA Games. Two years ago he partnered with Soo Beng
Kiang to deny Indonesia a clean sweep. Malaysia also spoiled
Indonesia's supremacy in the previous two episodes of the Games.
"It is the worst game I have ever played, despite the records
that favor us. They once beat us, but in not that easy way," Rexy
said after the match.
Indonesian head coach Indra Gunawan could not hide his
disappointment, saying that his trainees failed to demonstrate
their best court coverage.
"I have never seen my doubles team leave their defense under
heavy pressure," the coach said. (amd)