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Gunawan turns down Thomas Cup role
January 10, 2002 - Source : IBF
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 Indonesia's hopes of winning the coveted Thomas Cup for a record fifth consecutive time have suffered a blow, as World and Olympic champion Tony Gunawan has rejected a re-call to the national squad.
In a letter to the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), Gunawan confirmed he would not participate in the men's world team championship finals next May, stating that he would be leaving Indonesia on 19 January to join girlfriend and former national player Etty Tantri in the United States, where he would continue his studies.
Gunawan (pictured right with Wijaya) has been unavailable for interview for several weeks following his resignation from the national camp, but fellow Olympic gold medallist Candra Wijaya told reporters: "Tony's decision has made our effort to defend the Cup more complicated.
"It is such a pity that Tony decided not to join the Thomas Cup squad."
Men's doubles coach Herry Imam Pierngadi admitted Gunawan's absence would call for a finer strategy in the doubles pairings. "We still have veterans Bambang Suprianto and Tri Kusharyanto and second stringer Nova Widhianto in addition to Halim [Haryanto]," he told The Jakarta Post.
"Bambang and Tri managed to defeat Candra and Tony at the Asian Championships in Manila. So, I will not be worried about their strength," Pierngadi continued.
"For shuttlers like them, four months of preparation will be enough to forge them into a stronger men's doubles pair."
But it might not just be the doubles strategy which needs a rethink if Indonesia are to keep hold of the beloved Thomas Cup - singles star Taufik Hidayat's future with PBSI is still uncertain, with a possible move to Singapore on the cards, and World Champion Hendrawan has yet to find form with the 5 x 7 scoring system.
Bad news for Indonesia, but not so bad for the likes of hosts China and Malaysia, who will see this as the mostThomas Cup contest for some years. |
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Other news:
» 22nd Annual JVC Asian Championships To Feature World Champions
» Ronald gives Singaporean badminton another boost
» No full Moon in Singapore
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