Taufik returns to number one

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian shuttler Taufik Hidayat was back at number one when the International Badminton Federation (IBF) issued its men's singles rankings on Thursday.

Taufik, who was at number four in the previous rankings, jumped back to the top while former world number one and Olympic gold medalist Ji Xinpeng of China dropped to number three.

Taufik, however, looks likely to lose his top spot following the year's opening tournament, the six-star Korea Open from Jan. 10 to Jan. 14. Taufik will sit out the tournament after being banned by the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) for two international matches. Taufik also will miss the World Grand Prix Finals in Brunei from March 28 to April 1.

Dane Peter Gade Christensen was at number two in the new rankings, while Olympic silver medalist Hendrawan of Indonesia was at number four. Hendrawan also will miss the Korea Open because he is getting married in his hometown of Malang, East Java, on Jan. 7.

Another Indonesian, Marlev Mainaky, was ranked 10th.

Indonesia dominated the men's doubles rankings, with Flandy Limpele and Eng Hian at number one thanks to their victory at the Danish Open. They were followed by compatriots and Olympic gold medalists Candra Wijaya and Tony Gunawan.

Sigit Budiarto and Halim Heryanto of Indonesia jumped one spot to number four, with Olympic silver medalists Lee Dong-soo and Yoo Yong-sung of South Korea at number three.

Indonesia's 1996 Olympic gold medalists, Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky, were sitting on the ninth spot.

In the mixed doubles, Olympic silver medalists Tri Kusherjanto and Minarti Timur of Indonesia were ranked third, behind Michel Sogaard and Rikke Olsen of Denmark and Simon Archer and Joanne Goode of England.

The women's rankings were dominated by the Chinese, though the Indonesian doubles team of Etty Tantri and Cynthia Tuwankotta were at number eight on the IBF list.

Huang Nanyan and Yang Wei of China were the number one doubles team, followed by compatriots and Olympic gold medalists Ge Fei and Gu Jun.

In the women's singles, Camilla Martin of Denmark topped the rankings, followed by Olympic gold medalist Gong Zhichao of China. There were no Indonesian women singles shuttlers in the top 10. (yan)