Taufik has no special prepration for Seville
Taufik has no special prepration for Seville
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's world number three men's singles
Taufik Hidayat shocked the sports world here on Monday by saying
he did not make any special preparations for the upcoming World
Badminton Championships in Seville, Spain, next month.
"I realize that the World Championships is as prestigious as
the Olympics and I really want to win the title. But compared to
1999's event, I haven't prepared myself well. I don't feel the
enthusiasm. I feel that something's bothering me inside," he said
after a training session at the Indonesian Badminton Center in
Cipayung, East Jakarta.
"But I have promised myself that I'll get back on my feet
again after the championships. I'll think of my future and how I
can reach my goals. I want to repair my six months of disarray.
"I still have lots of dreams that I haven't reached, including
winning the All England. I'm really obsessed with that."
The World Championships will take place at San Pablo Stadium
in Seville, Spain, from June 4 to June 10. It was preceded by the
Sudirman Cup mixed team event.
Speaking on his goals, Taufik said: "I don't have any target.
I just want to go one step at a time. I want to think about every
single match. As for my coach, he didn't get me to target
anything."
Taufik -- who stole the show after he reached the All England
final in 1999 -- has yet to show his best form this year.
A hero at the 2000 Thomas Cup final in Kuala Lumpur, Taufik
slipped at the Sydney Olympics by only reaching the third round.
He made it up by winning the Asian Badminton Championships in
November.
Unfortunately, he launched verbal attacks at PBSI chairman
Subagyo Hadisiswoyo, urging the retired general to step down from
the top post.
Since then, Taufik's star is not as bright as it was before.
PBSI's early decision to discontinue coach Mulyo Handoyo's
contract had a big influence on Taufik's performance in this
year's series opener at the Korea Open.
He also missed his opportunity to win the All England.
In the recently concluded Asia Cup, he failed to show off his
best shots.
"At the age of 19, I am carrying too heavy a burden on my
shoulders. If I fail, people will always link it with my personal
life. I can't take it anymore.
"However, I am optimistic that there is still a chance at
becoming a world champion. I'm not pessimistic on that."
Taufik, who is also among the players being prepared for the
Sudirman Cup, criticized PBSI's preparation for the major event.
"Compared to last year's Thomas Cup, as a player, I don't see
any togetherness within the team. It's completely different than
last year when officials were willing to mingle and talk to us."
Indonesia's team manager Sumaryono -- who is being detained on
charges of masterminding a counterfeit money ring in Surabaya --
successfully helped the Thomas Cup team win the trophy 12 times.
(yan)