Susy, Alan still fascinating
JAKARTA (JP): The 1992 Olympic Games badminton gold medalists Susy Susanti and Alan Budikusuma officially said goodbye to fans in a farewell match at Senayan Indoor Stadium on Saturday.
Susy and Alan, who were married in February 1997, tied 1-1 against Hermawan Susanto and Sarwendah Kusumawardhani, who are also married, in the farewell match -- which was jointly organized by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI), private television station RCTI and the print media The Jakarta Post, Kompas, Bola and GO.
In the first set, Susy and Alan, who played far below their standard of gold-medal quality, managed to beat Hermawan and Sarwendah 15-5 in the first game.
But in the second game, the Olympic couple started to lose stamina in face of the hard work by Hermawan and Sarwendah, who finally won 15-12. The deciding game was not featured.
Both Susy and Alan said they have stopped playing badminton for good.
"I will concentrate on my family, although I may help my successors by giving advice or criticism as needed," Susy said.
Susy and Alan each received a gold medallion and ring from PBSI, which were handed over by chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo. They also received cellular phones from sponsor Samsung.
About 3,000 badminton lovers were in the 4,000-seat stadium. Nearly 500 fans crowded both Susy and Alan for autographs and photographs.
Accompanied by Jose Carreras and Sarah Brightman's song Amigos Para Siempre (You'll always be my friends) -- Susy and Alan's wedding theme song -- performed by Ruth Sahanaya, they both left the stadium cheered by fans and left in a driven by Alan.
Subagyo, State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela, National Sports Council vice chairman Arie Sudewo and PBSI executive director Karsono marched behind the hero and heroine as they left.
The farewell match was opened by a singles match between Hariyanto Arbi and Marlev Mainaky, replacing Taufik Hidayat who withdrew due to influenza. Hariyanto and Marlev tied 1-1 after Marlev won 15-13 in the first game but Hariyanto, the 1993 world champion, managed to equal 1-1 after winning the second game 15- 12.
In the men's doubles, Candra and Tony were much too powerful for new partnership of Ricky Subagja and Flandy Limpele, who replaced Rexy Mainaky who is in England, to win 15-2, 15-6.
Subagyo said in his speech: "It is difficult to find women shuttlers as good as Susy because they have yet to equal her international performances. But PBSI is happy with the match and we'll try to make it a tradition to appreciate our athletes."
PBSI also handed over awards to former shuttlers Hermawan, Joko Suprianto, Ardy Bernardus Wiranata and Mia Audina. Men's singles coach Indra Gunawan and men's doubles coach Atiek Djauhari also received gold rings.
The match was followed by an auction of Susy and Alan rackets. Masters of ceremony Dono and Indro announced the organizers collected Rp 21.1 million (US$3,103), which will be distributed to refugees throughout the nation.
The money came from former shuttler and businessman Ferry Sonneville, Tangkas club, Jaya Raya club, PBSI East Jakarta branch and PT Ciptaarca Hadikara. (yan)