Taufik hopes to play in Indonesia Open

JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion of Sanyo Indonesia Open Taufik Hidayat has voiced hope that he will being able to compete in next week's tournament despite a back injury.

Speaking prior to a fans' gathering at Segitiga Atrium in Senen, Central Jakarta, on Saturday, Taufik said his fate would be decided on Monday by orthopedic specialist Dr. Chaehab and the official doctor of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Michael Triangto.

"Dr. Michael and I will visit Dr. Chaehab on Monday to learn the exact diagnosis of my injury and the medical treatment," he said. "I also want to know what would be the consequence if I force myself to compete in the Indonesia Open."

"Somehow, the pain only comes when I have to run and not while practicing."

Taufik said should he have to take a long rest prior to the Olympic Games in Sydney in September, he would prefer to do so after the Indonesia Open.

"Dr. Michael told me that there was a possibility that I would have to take a two to three week rest. In that case, I hope I can still compete in the Indonesia Open but miss the Malaysia Open instead."

"I am the defending champion and I really aim to retain my title. If I force myself to compete and I lose next week, I won't blame it on my injury but because I played bad."

"If I have to skip both tournaments, I will lose so many points and my world ranking will drop. It means I will have a tough draw in the Olympics," said the world number seven."

Taufik is seeded third in the tournament after world number one Peter Gade Christensen of Denmark and world number three Hendrawan of Indonesia.

His injury has worried PBSI as he is one of the Indonesian athletes predicted to earn gold medals in the Olympics.

The 18-year-old shuttler complained of back pain during practice on Tuesday but Michael indicated that it might only be a strained muscle. However, X-ray results were "were not very good".

PBSI secretary-general Leo Chandra Wiranata earlier said the organization would not force Taufik to compete in the tournament as it would prefer that he concentrate on the Olympics. (yan)