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)