Susy, Alan still fascinating
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)