Taufik hopes to play in Indonesia Open
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)