Thailand, Malaysia Prevent Indonesia's Badminton Clean Sweep

INDONESIA UPDATED. It was the women who provided the most excitement in the badminton finals at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium (C) on Saturday, although the men’s singles also had the audience on the edge of their seats.

The women’s singles began with Indonesia’s Bellaetrix Manuputty losing tamely 21-9 to second seed Ongbam- rungphan Busanan of Thailand. But, there seemed a sudden burst of energy in the second game from Manuputty as she held the 17-year-old Thai at 4 to take it to 11 points. 

After the one-minute break, Manuputty conceded a few points before her game changed, almost as if she suddenly could predict the Thai girl’s moves, and she won comfortably 21-13.

The third game saw the Thai and Indonesian chase each other point for point until they reached 16-12 with Manuputty in the lead. In an attempt to redeem herself, Busanan overestimated her smashes sending a number of them far beyond the baseline, handing the match to Manuputty 21-13.

“I was scared in the first game because Busanan had easily beaten my teammate (Aprilia Yuswandari). Going into game two, I told myself that I had trained so hard for this so it would be no use if I didn’t give it all that I have. I then realised that I had to hit to the baseline so it would be difficult for her to smash down so hard,” said Manuputty, whose face was fixed in a huge grin as she watched her other teammates compete.

Thailand’s singles coach Udom Luangphetcharapon stated that although Busanan had taken the first game easily, she was too slow to launch a defence in the second, staying too close to the net while the Indonesian continuously sent the shuttle far back. “Then she fell too far behind and couldn’t catch up. I told her to change and attack but she couldn’t manage that. She was tense and wasn’t confident in taking the shots. She kept think- ing too much about right and wrong shots. She’s young and needs more experience, but she did well today,” he said.

Busanan, who aims to make it into the world’s top 10, admitted to a lack of confidence, saying, “I made a lot of mistakes in the second and third games and she got control. I think so much before I take a shot and I worry whether it is right and I get nervous about taking the next shot.”

Indonesia had already won gold in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles earlier and with a competitor in each of the finals, were poised to make it a five-gold sweep of the sport, until men’s singles champion Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand stepped onto the court. He and Indonesia’s Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka were neck and neck throughout both games, but the Thai’s strength and skill prevailed, winning 22-20, 21-17. “I’m just really happy that I was the one to win the only gold for my country in badminton,” he said.

Malaysia and Indonesia saved the best for last, however, as they provided the audience with a nail-biter of a women’s doubles. Surprise finalists Malaysia overcame a physically stronger Indonesia (21-17, 18-21, 21-17) to take gold.

“It’s been a while since we won any major tournament and so this is a big win for us,” said Malaysia’s Vivian Hoo for whom this is a first SEA Games gold. She dedicated the medal to her partner Khe Wei Woon for her never-give-up attitude. Khe, who now adds this to the team gold won in the 2009 SEA Games in Laos, laughed, “I’m so overwhelmed I cannot even cry.”

The 85-minute match, full of long rallies and hard smashes from both sides of the court, was a fitting end to badminton at the 27th SEA Games, the likes of which Myanmar has never witnessed before.
republika.com

More Gold Medals for Indonesian Shuttlers

INDONESIA UPDATED. indonesian women's single shuttler Bellaetrix Manuputty has beaten Thailand's Busanan Ongbumrungpan at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium yesterday. 

Bellaetrix had no luck at the beginning of the first game as she had difficulties to return Busanan's rampant, letting the Thai leading 21-9.

It was Bella's turn to take the initiative at the second game by slowly-but-surely attacking her opponent's right side. The 25-year-old won the second game 21-13. Bella continued her domination at the third game and kept giving Busanan tough counterworks until she hit game point for the final game. 

Bella bagged the second gold medal for Indonesian badminton team.
tempo.co

More Gold Medals for Indonesian Shuttlers

INDONESIA UPDATED. indonesian women's single shuttler Bellaetrix Manuputty has beaten Thailand's Busanan Ongbumrungpan at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium yesterday. 

Bellaetrix had no luck at the beginning of the first game as she had difficulties to return Busanan's rampant, letting the Thai leading 21-9.

It was Bella's turn to take the initiative at the second game by slowly-but-surely attacking her opponent's right side. The 25-year-old won the second game 21-13. Bella continued her domination at the third game and kept giving Busanan tough counterworks until she hit game point for the final game. 

Bella bagged the second gold medal for Indonesian badminton team.
tempo.co
 

Vivian Ho-Khe Wei Upset Second Seeded Pair To Enter Final

MALAYSIAN UPDATED. Malaysian pair Vivian Ho-Woon Khe Wei created an upset to enter the women's badminton doubles final at the Myanmar SEA Games.

In the semi-finals at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium here Friday, the Malaysian pair beat second seeded Shinta Mulia Sari-Yao Lei of Singapore 23-21, 17-21, 21-17.


They however will have to work extra hard as they will be meeting top seeds Nitya Krishinda Maheswari-Greysia Polii of Indonesia in the final for the gold Saturday.

Meanwhile, Malaysia's challenge in the men's doubles and the mixed doubles ended after the Malaysian pairs lost in the semifinals and have to settle for bronze medals, which are automaticlly awarded to the losing semifinallists.

The pairs of Lim Khim Wah-Ow Yao Han and Goh V Shem-Teo Kok Siang lost to the Indonesians in straight sets.

Khim Wah-Yao Han lost to Angga Pratama-Ryan Agung Saputro 16-21, 15-21 while V Shem-Kok Siang were defeated by Berry Angriawan-Ricky Suwardi 17-21, 18-21.

The mixed doubles pair of Tan Aik Quan-Lai Pei Jing were defeated by Maneepong Jongjit-Sapsiree Taerattanachai of Thailand 15-21, 17-21.
bernama.com

Chong Wei First to Use Instant Review System

MALAYSIA UPDATED. World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei was all smiles as he became the first person to utilise the instant review system in his win over China’s Wang Zhengming at the Super Series Finals at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium on Wednesday.

Chong Wei, who is gunning for his fourth Super Series Finals title since winning three from 2008-2010, was hardly troubled by Zhengming, winning 21-10, 21-18 in their Group A match.

The first set was a breeze as the Chinese shuttler appeared affected by the draft.

But it was the second set which became a milestone of sorts as Chong Wei challenged the linesman’s call whilst trailing 2-4. The video review overruled the call in his favour.

The Super Series Finals marks the first time the Badminton World Federation (BWF) is implementing the instant review system.

And Chong Wei gave two thumbs-up to the system, saying he believes it will serve a better purpose for the sport.

“It is good and fair because sometimes the shuttlecock travels so fast that even the linesman can’t see it,” said Chong Wei.

“I don’t argue with the linesman because you can’t fault them at times. With this system, it is so much better.

“I’m proud of BWF for taking the effort and initiative to implement this system and I know all the other players are happy as well.

“As for my match, I think Zhengming was affected by the draft as his shots only reached the halfcourt in the first game.

“For me, it’s a good start but I have to stay focused because I know everyone else wants to beat me on my home ground,” added Chong Wei, who will face Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana on Thursday.

In the other Group A match, Denmark’s world No.4 Jan O Jorgensen struggled to overcome Boonsak in three games 21-19, 13-21, 21-11.

“My legs felt very heavy and I couldn’t move well. It’s not good to drop a game with Chong Wei in the group stage so I need to go for the win against Zhengming next,” said Jorgensen.

In Group B, Indonesia’s Sony Dwi Kuncoro was barely troubled by younger compatriot Tommy Sugiarto, winning 21-19, 21-10.

“Tommy has too much respect for me I think and he was playing his best,” explained Sony.

The biggest shock of the day came courtesy of veteran Thai mixed pair Sudket Prapakamol-Saralee Thoungthongkam, who battled past world champions Tontowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir.

The Thais recovered from a horrible first game to carve out a 9-21 26-24, 21-16 win over the Indonesians.

Top Malaysian mixed pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying also had a day to savour as they snatched a priceless 16-21, 21-14, 21-19 win over England’s Chris Adcock-Gabrielle Adcock.

The win will give them a boost in order to qualify for the semi-finals before they face China’s world No. 1 Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei on Thursday.

“I don’t know why we keep playing rubber games. It’s probably because the last time we met the Adcocks, we lost … so there’s a little measure of respect this time,” said Peng Soon.
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Hoon-Tan Mo Match for Indonesian Pair

MALAYSIA UPDATED. Last minute entrants Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong were given a wake-up call as they were outclassed by world champions Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan in their Group A match of the Super Series Finals at the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium late on Wednesday.

The world No. 8 who only made the cut because compatriot Koo Kien Keat suffered an eye infection and withdrew last Saturday, were beaten 17-21, 13-21 in just 29 minutes.

 
Thien How-Wee Kiong, who were riding high from their Macau Open success, briefly threatened to give Ahsan-Setiawan a fight with a feisty start.

But the Indonesians, in particularly the experienced Setiawan gradually turned it around and were thoroughly dominant in notching a comfortable win.

“Their experience made the difference … they, Hendra especially, laid out a trap for us and made us play to their rhythm,” said Wee Kiong.

“We also got our strategy wrong and they managed to counter everything we threw at them.
“But there’s no time to dwell on this defeat, we have two matches to play in this group … we need to focus on that. We will figure out what needs to be done.”

Thien How added that they paid dearly for allowing Hendra to control the net.

“Hendra was simply spot on today. He was so fast and his timing at the net was simply perfect,” said Thien How.

The pair will face China’s Liu Xiaolong-Qiu Zihan on Thursday – a do-or-die match for both pairs who will need their first win in order to progress to the semi-finals.
thestar.com.my
 

Chong Wei Feng Crashes Out in First Round of SEA Games

It was a dreadful debut for Chong Wei Feng in the Myanmar SEA Games when he crashed out in the opening round of the men's singles competition at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium C on Tuesday.
 

The 26-year-old Wei Feng went down 19-21, 12-21 to Thailand's third-ranked player A. Suppanyu, destroying his dream of becoming the country's first champion in 12 years.

Mohd Roslin Hashim last won the title at the 2001 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur and since then, Indonesia have dominated the scene. 

Wei Feng was the first casualty on the opening day of competition but there is hope that others will have a better day.  
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Vietnam's Leading Badminton Player Eyes SEA Games Trophy

VIETNAM UPDATED. He may have amassed a collection of international titles, but Viet Nam's top badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh is still missing a men's singles gold from the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The biennial tournament, the largest in the region, is approaching, and the world No 8 is expected to produce something special as top seed.

The door for Minh is wide open because his main rivals will be occupied at the Super Series Finals for the top eight players in the world that will be held in Malaysia at the same time.
 
Southeast Asian players in the top 8, including world No 1 Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia, No 5 Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia and No 7 Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand plan to skip the Myanmar Games to focus on the year-end tournament.

Minh's main opponents will be world No 12 Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand, No 13 Sony Dwi Kuncoro of Indonesia and No 16 Wei Feng Chong from Malaysia.

Minh is the title favourite, although he refused to talk about his target or his rivals during an interview with The Thao&Van Hoa Cuoi Tuan (Sports&Culture Weekend) magazine.

"I don't want to talk much about the SEA Games. I just can say I am focusing on training and will try my best in every match, no matter who my rivals are," said Minh.

The HCM City-born athlete reached his best in 2010 when he was ranked No 5 in the world for the first time in his career. Minh is the only Vietnamese player to enter the world top 10, and has held his place there for most of the last decade.

However, the two-time Olympian has never convinced people of his abilities because of his up-and-down performances, especially at the SEA Games where he has failed to live up to expectations.

At the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand, Minh shared third-place with Boonsak Ponsana, his best result in five attempts.

Two years later in Laos, he was stopped in the quarter-finals by Boonsak, and at the last Games in Indonesia, Minh was beaten again in the quarters by Wong Derek of Singapore.

In preparation for this SEA Games, Minh has taken part in different tournaments including the world championships where he took a bronze medal in August in China.

"It is the best achievement in my 10-year career. I am happy and satisfied with it," Minh said.

People believed that his achievement in China would spur on his career, but his poor performance at the China Open and Hong Kong Open earlier this month proved otherwise.

Minh was eliminated early from both tournaments, which were important warm-ups for the Games.

"Minh has never been consistent. He can play brilliantly at one tournament, and then get knocked out in the first round at the next. This tournament will show what he's made of," said Huynh Ngoc Lien, deputy chairwoman of the HCM City Badminton Federation.

Lien said if Minh could focus on a solid training plan so he reached his peak at the Games, he would be crowned champion.

Minh, who will turn 30 on December 2, also knows he is approaching the end of his career, and plans to retire in the next two years.

Badminton will be played from December 9-14 at the Wunna Theikdi Sports Complex in Nay Pyi Taw.
vietnamnet.vn 
 

Tame Show by SEA Games Badminton Squad in Macau

MALAYSIA UPDATED. Malaysia’s SEA Games squad suffered a blow when a host of them tumbled out in the first round of the Macau Open GP Gold on Wednesday.

Men’s doubles pair Goh V Shem-Teo Kok Siang were the biggest culprits, losing to China’s youngsters Huang Kaixiang-Zheng Si Wei 11-21, 15-21.

It was a disappointing result for the pair, particularly V Shem, who has loads of experience competing in Super Series events.

The pair, who are expected to lead the challenge in Naypyitaw next month, were way below par and Malaysia should not place too much hope on them to deliver at the SEA Games.

The young Chinese pair, meanwhile, will go on to face top seeds Lee Sheng Mu-Tsai Chia Hsin of Taiwan in the second round.

Mixed doubles fourth seeds Ong Jian Guo-Lim Yin Loo were the next to fall, going down 18-21, 11-21 in just 29 minutes to Taiwan’s Chen Hung Ling-Lee Chia Hsin.

Another SEA Games-bound pair, second seeds Tan Aik Quan-Lai Pei Jing nearly fell by the wayside but they managed to overcome Taiwan’s Lin Chia Yu-Wang Pei Rong 21-16, 12-21, 21-17 in the mixed doubles.

Yin Loo even suffered the agony of losing twice on the same day – crashing out in the first round of the women’s doubles with Lee Meng Yean.

Yin Loo-Meng Yean who are also heading for Naypyitaw, were no match for Taiwan’s Cheng Wen Hsing-Hsieh Pei Chen, losing 17-21, 17-21.

Third seeds Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei, however, saved the day with a comfortable win over Thailand’s Phataimas Muenwong-Kilasu Ostermeyer.

They won 21-15, 21-12 and are likely to face China’s Huang Yaqiong-Yu Xiaohan next.

“It’s a good match to win and a good start,” said Vivian.

“We haven’t played a tournament in a long time so it’s nice to get that competitive edge back.

“But we’re expecting the matches to get tougher so we’ll just have to prepare accordingly.”

Iskandar Zulkarnian Zainuddin again enjoyed an easy day in the men’s singles.

The lanky Iskandar, who needed only 15 minutes in the first round, needed an extra five minutes to dispatch compatriot Ikmal Hussai Jaafar 21-7, 21-6.

Iskandar will meet 11th seed Vladimir Ivanov of Russia for a place in the quarter-finals..

Tan Chun Seang, the 14th seed, also progressed after beating former national player Kuan Beng Hong 21-19, 21-18.

thestar.com.my

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Badminton: SEA Games Medal Hope Vanessa Neo

SINGAPORE UPDATED. She is the only homegrown female competing for Singapore’s badminton team at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in December.

But Vanessa Neo isn’t in the least bit bothered by the eight naturalised shuttlers flying up to Myanmar with her, two of whom she will partner in the women’s and mixed doubles events.

“Everybody's a friend,” said the 26-year-old. “There’s no differentiation between ‘local born-and-bred’ and ‘foreigners’.”

“We’re a team, we’re all Singaporeans, and our goal is to get the highest glory for Singapore,” Neo added.

Her mixed doubles pairing with Danny Bawa Chrisnanta was once ranked ninth in the world, and recently triumphed at the Dutch Open in October.

Despite this being the duo’s first SEA Games outing, Indonesian-born Chrisnanta is confident of their chances.

“My preparation has been good. I went to a few competitions and played against a few of the opponents we’ll face at the Games,” he said. “I know what to do, I’m ready and I don’t promise anything but I want a medal.”

Neo’s other doubles event will come loaded with heavier expectation, as her new, barely six-month-old partner is none other than 2011 SEA Games singles champion Fu Mingtian.

“It’ll be good for me. She’s more experienced and faced pressure during the 2011 Games,” said Neo. “It’s something to learn from and she can guide me along.”

They won’t face any communication issues either. Neo is fluent in Mandarin, but as her China-born partner cheerfully told Yahoo Singapore, she can converse in “not just English but Singlish too, lah.”

Raising the bar

Contrary to the naysayers, Neo, one of only two born-and-bred Singaporeans in the SEA Games squad, is in full support of Singapore’s injection of ‘foreign talent’ into sports.

“It’s a good thing, they bring up the standard in Singapore,” said the affable girlfriend of star shuttler Derek Wong. “When more come, the benchmark goes higher and for me, I always want to work towards exceeding them.”

This competitive streak saw the former Rafflesian drop out of junior college to turn professional, an experience she said she has “enjoyed” without regret in the 10 years that have passed since.
Instead, she took a diploma course on the sidelines while undergoing intensive training with the national set-up.

Not the kind of decision most Singaporean parents would get behind, but Neo’s folks are passionate about badminton and introduced their eldest daughter to the sport at the age of nine.
Mom and dad, both bankers, were in fact the ones who asked if she would want to consider playing full time, said Neo.

She has also received support from sponsors Fuji Xerox, who “adopted” her and Chrisnanta to the tune of up to S$35,000, in hopes of them reaching the Olympics in 2016.

Indeed, to step out onto the courts at Rio, Brazil in 2016 is her “ultimate dream”, said Neo.

Her target lies only a short three years away, a fact well-appreciated by the petite shuttler, who bristled with quiet determination as she said, “I’m running out of time, so I’m definitely working much harder now.”

The Olympics represent her “final, last goal”, after which she says she will retire and hit the books again, in search of a degree to expand on her diploma in sports science.

But either way, she’s not ready to entirely remove badminton from her life.

“I’ll most probably still stay in the field,” said Neo, hinting at a possible coaching gig. “Badminton has given so much to me… it will be time to pay it back.”
yahoo.com
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Skuat Inti dan Target Medali Bulu Tangkis Indonesia

INDONESIA UPDATED. Persatuan Bulu Tangkis Seluruh Indonesia (PBSI) menargetkan sebanyak tiga medali emas dan dua mendali perak dalam ajang bergengsi SEA Games 2013 di Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. Untuk mencapai target tersebut, PBSI telah menetapkan sejumlah pemain utama kontingen bulu tangkis Indonesia.

Sebanyak 16 anggota tim inti telah ditetapkan. Diantaranya terdiri dari sejumlah pemain muda yang berpotensi dapat memperkuat skuat Indonesia terutama di tiga sektor yang ditargetkan mendulang medali emas seperti ganda campuran, ganda putra dan ganda putri. Demikian pula dengan target medali perak dari tunggal putra dan tunggal putri.

Meskipun sejumlah unggulan Indonesia seperti pasangan Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir dan Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan bakalan absen, namun harapan Indonesia akan tetap digantungkan kepada pasangan ganda campuran Muhammad Rijal/Debby Susanto, ganda putra Angga Pratama/Rian Agung Saputro dan ganda putri Greysia Polii/Natya Krishinda Maheswari.  

Untuk lebih mengenal susunan 16 anggota inti yang telah ditetapkan oleh PBSI, Anda dapat mengetahuinya di sini:

Tunggal Putra : Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka & Wisnu Yuli Prasetyo

Tunggal Putri : Aprilia Yuswandari & Bellaetrix Manuputty

Ganda Putra : Angga Pratama/Rian Agung Saputro
                         Ricky Karanda Suwardi/Berry Angriawan

Ganda Putri : Greysia Polii/Nitya Krishinda Maheswari
                        Tiara Rosalia Nuraidah/Gebby Ristiyani Imawan

Ganda Campuran : Muhammad Rijal/Debby Susanto
                                  Riky Widianto/Richi Puspita Dili
Untuk persiapan yang lebih matang, Manajer Tim Ricky Soebagdja menyampaikan para pemain tengah mempersiapkan diri dengan sejumlah pelatihan agar lebih maksimal menghadapi persaingan yang cukup ketat di cabang bulu tangkis ini. lewat penetapan target tersebut, kiranya bulu tangkis Indonesia tetap meyumbangkan kemenangan di SEA Games 2013 ini.
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Nguyen Tien Minh: Hunting for the SEA Games title

VIETNAM UPDATED. Although he has amassed a collection of prestigious titles from global and Asian competitions, top Vietnamese badminton player and world number seven Nguyen Tien Minh has yet to win the men’s singles gold medal at Myanmar's SEA Games. 

The achievement stands as one of Minh’s greatest desires for his badminton career. Minh has another opportunity to realise his dream at the 27th SEA Games, which open next month in Myanmar, where he will likely be the top seeded player in the men’s singles category.

A thorough warm-up

Tien Minh has registered to participate in a number of international competitions as part of his preparations for the upcoming SEA Games. He skipped the recent National Badminton Top Players Championships to focus his strength and energy on the 2013 Li Ning China Open, taking place in Shanghai from November 12-17.

Minh is seeded sixth in the men’s singles, behind Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei, China’s Chen Long and Du Pengyu, Japan’s Kenichi Tago and Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto.

There promise to be numerous obstacles to Minh’s ambition of winning the tournament, foremost among them fourth seed Kenichi Tago, who has been placed in the same branch of the tournament bracket.

Two days after the China Open concludes, Minh will begin his campaign at the six-day 2013 Yonex Sunrise Hong Kong Open. After losing the sixth-place ranking to Denmark’s Jan O. Jorgensen in the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) standings, world number seven Tien Minh has been seeded seventh at the Hong Kong Open.

Minh has drawn to play world number 26  Ajay Jayaram of India in his first-round match. He lost to Jayaram in the Indian Badminton League in August before avenging himself with a convincing 2-0 victory in the quarterfinal round of the 2013 Japan Open Super Series the following month.

Tien Minh will then attempt to defend his championship title at the Yonex Sunrise Vietnam Open, which takes place in Ho Chi Minh City from December 2-8, his last international competition before the SEA Games.

Top seed at SEA Games?

The ASEAN nations have not yet officially announced the rosters of their badminton squads for the 27th SEA Games. Players must choose between two options – the BWF Superseries Finals in Malaysia and the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar – both of which take place concurrently, from December 11-15.

 

So far, world number one Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia has confirmed his participation in the Superseries Finals, while other top regional players – including Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto (world number five), as well as Thailand’s Boonsak Ponsana (world number eight) and Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (world number nine) – have yet to make up their minds. 

 

Should these players also choose the Superseries event, Tien Minh is bound to be the top seed in the men’s singles at next month’s SEA Games, which would help him avoid strong opponents in the early rounds and consolidate his chances of progressing deep into the tournament.

Minh experienced bitter defeat at the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia two years ago, missing out on the SEA Games medals after a disappointing 0-2 loss to a much-lower rated player, Derek Wong Zi Liang of Singapore, in the men’s singles quarterfinals. 

 

The upcoming tournament will be an excellent opportunity for Minh to clinch the first SEA Games men’s singles crown of his professional badminton career – an achievement for which he is thirstier than ever. 

Nhan Dan/VietNamNet Bridge

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PBSI Target 3 Medali Emas di SEA Games 2013

INDONESIA UPDATED. PB PBSI percaya diri cabang bulutangkis bisa mendulang medali emas di ajang SEA Games 2013 meski tidak menurunkan pemain unggulan. Kepala Bidang Pembinaan dan Prestasi PB PBSI, Rexy Mainaky, menegaskan Indonesia berpeluang meraih emas di semua nomor.

Indonesia menurunkan 16 pebulutangkis untuk ajang SEA Games 2013 yang akan berlangsung di Myanmar, bulan depan. Dari daftar pemain tersebut, tidak ada nama pemain andalan di dua nomor ganda putra dan ganda campuran.

Ganda campuran Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir dan ganda putra Hendra Setiawan/Muhammad Ahsan, dipastikan harus absen di SEA Games 2013 karena harus mengikuti Final BWF Super Series 2013 di Malaysia. Namun, hal tersebut tidak menutup peluang Indonesia merebut medali emas.

Rexy menegaskan peluang Indonesia untuk merebut medali emas tetap terbuka lebar. Pasalnya, negara-negara seperti Thailand dan Malaysia juga tidak akan diperkuat pemain terbaiknya.

"Saya menilai, kekuatan kami telah seimbang. Karena negara kuat lainnya, seperti Thailand dan Malaysia juga tanpa pebulutangkis andalannya karena harus tampil di BWF Super Series," ujar Rexy di Pelatnas Cipayung, Kamis 14 November 2013.

Rexy menegaskan, pihaknya menargetkan tiga medali emas dari nomor ganda putra, ganda putri dan ganda campuran. Sedangkan di nomor tunggal putra dan putri, Indonesia hanya menargetkan medali perak. Namun, secara umum Rexy menegaskan peluang Indonesia terbuka di semua nomor.

"Pebulutangkis Indonesia semuanya bisa mencuri emas. Khususnya dari tunggal putri, karena negara kuat lainnya dari Malaysia dan Thailand juga tanpa pebulutangkis putri terbaiknya," tegas Rexy.

Pada SEA Games 2011 lalu, bulutangkis menyumbang lima medali emas, empat medali perak dan dua perunggu. Medali emas datang dari nomor tunggal putra, ganda putra, ganda putri, ganda campuran dan beregu putra.
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PBSI Target 3 Medali Emas di SEA Games 2013

INDONESIA UPDATED. PB PBSI percaya diri cabang bulutangkis bisa mendulang medali emas di ajang SEA Games 2013 meski tidak menurunkan pemain unggulan. Kepala Bidang Pembinaan dan Prestasi PB PBSI, Rexy Mainaky, menegaskan Indonesia berpeluang meraih emas di semua nomor.

Indonesia menurunkan 16 pebulutangkis untuk ajang SEA Games 2013 yang akan berlangsung di Myanmar, bulan depan. Dari daftar pemain tersebut, tidak ada nama pemain andalan di dua nomor ganda putra dan ganda campuran.

Ganda campuran Tontowi Ahmad/Liliyana Natsir dan ganda putra Hendra Setiawan/Muhammad Ahsan, dipastikan harus absen di SEA Games 2013 karena harus mengikuti Final BWF Super Series 2013 di Malaysia. Namun, hal tersebut tidak menutup peluang Indonesia merebut medali emas.

Rexy menegaskan peluang Indonesia untuk merebut medali emas tetap terbuka lebar. Pasalnya, negara-negara seperti Thailand dan Malaysia juga tidak akan diperkuat pemain terbaiknya.

"Saya menilai, kekuatan kami telah seimbang. Karena negara kuat lainnya, seperti Thailand dan Malaysia juga tanpa pebulutangkis andalannya karena harus tampil di BWF Super Series," ujar Rexy di Pelatnas Cipayung, Kamis 14 November 2013.

Rexy menegaskan, pihaknya menargetkan tiga medali emas dari nomor ganda putra, ganda putri dan ganda campuran. Sedangkan di nomor tunggal putra dan putri, Indonesia hanya menargetkan medali perak. Namun, secara umum Rexy menegaskan peluang Indonesia terbuka di semua nomor.

"Pebulutangkis Indonesia semuanya bisa mencuri emas. Khususnya dari tunggal putri, karena negara kuat lainnya dari Malaysia dan Thailand juga tanpa pebulutangkis putri terbaiknya," tegas Rexy.

Pada SEA Games 2011 lalu, bulutangkis menyumbang lima medali emas, empat medali perak dan dua perunggu. Medali emas datang dari nomor tunggal putra, ganda putra, ganda putri, ganda campuran dan beregu putra.
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Akhirnya, Muhammad Rijal Tampil di SEA Games

INDONESIA UPDATED. Pemain spesialis ganda campuran, Muhammad Rijal kembali memperkuat tim bulutangkis Indonesia di ajang SEA Games 2013 di Myanmar pada 10-14 Desember.

Sebelumnya diberitakan bahwa Rijal batal membela skuad Merah-Putih. Sang partner, Debby Susanto pun akhirnya akan dipasangkan dengan Ricky Karanda Suwardi, pemain ganda putra yang juga berada di tim inti dan bermain ganda putra bersama Berry Angriawan.

"Setelah berkomunikasi dengan pelatihnya (Richard Mainaky), Rijal menyatakan komitmen untuk melakukan persiapan yang baik jelang SEA Games 2013," kata Ricky Soebagdja, Manajer Tim Bulutangkis Indonesia di SEA Games Myanmar 2013.

“Pertimbangan kedua adalah, bahwa kami harus tetap bisa meraih medali emas dari nomor ganda campuran. Nomor ini memang menjadi salah satu andalan,” tambah Ricky.

Rijal/Debby merupakan pasangan ganda campuran ranking tujuh dunia yang berpisah setelah Denmark Open Super Series Premier pada Oktober silam. Debby kemudian berpasangan dengan Ronald Alexander.

Sebanyak tiga medali emas dan dua medali perak ditargetkan tim bulutangkis Indonesia pada SEA Games Myanmar 2013. Ganda campuran menjadi salah satu nomor yang ditargetkan untuk mendulang medali emas bersama nomor ganda putra dan ganda putri. Sementara itu, nomor tunggal putra dan tunggal putri ditargetkan medali perak.

Berikut daftar tim inti Bulutangkis Indonesia pada SEA Games Myanmar 2013:

Tunggal Putra
Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka, Wisnu Yuli Prasetyo

Tunggal Putri
Aprilia Yuswandari, Bellaetrix Manuputty

Ganda Putra
Angga Pratama/Rian Agung Saputro, Ricky Karanda Suwardi/Berry Angriawan

Ganda Putri
Greysia Polii/Nitya Krishinda Maheswari, Tiara Rosalia Nuraidah/Gebby Ristiyani Imawan

Ganda Campuran
Muhammad Rijal/Debby Susanto, Riky Widianto/Richi Puspita Dili

Lee Chong Wei Tolak Main di SEA Myanmar

INDONESIA UPDATED. Tunggal putra Malaysia, Lee Chong Wei, menolak untuk mewakili Malaysia pada pesta olahraga terbesar se-Asia Tenggara, SEA Games di Myanmar, Desember mendatang. Meski, hingga saat ini, namanya masih terdaftar dalam tim bulu tangkis Malaysia yang akan berangkat ke Myanmar.
 
Pebulu tangkis nomor satu dunia ini telah menyatakan keinginannya untuk mengosongkan jadwal pada Desember, termasuk SEA Games dan BWF Superseries Final. "Saya bukan pemain muda lagi. SEA Games adalah kesempatan untuk para pemain muda berusia 20-an," kata Lee saat ditanya alasan penolakannya.

Selain itu, Lee harus menjaga kondisi tubuh agar tidak mudah cedera dengan mengurangi jadwal bertanding. Ia berharap bisa ikut serta pada Olimpiade terakhirnya di Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, pada 2016.

Saat ini, Lee memusatkan konsentrasinya pada China Badminton Super League 2013-2014. Ia telah berada di Yuchao, China, untuk mempersiapkan diri bertanding dengan rival lamanya, Lin Dan, Sabtu (5/10/2013). Lee akan bermain untuk Guangdong Century City Badminton Club, sementara Lin Dan membela Bayi Dongling Group Badminton Club.

"Saya pemain asing yang datang ke sini. Saya bisa belajar banyak dan saling berbagi pengalaman dengan pemain senior China lain dalam tim saya," ujar Lee.