Taufik returns to number one
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)