Badminton: Indonesia's Hidayat a no-show at Asia meet JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia: Defending champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia is a no-show at this week's Asian Badminton Championships - the last tournament for Asian players to earn Olympic qualifying points. Hidayat, who won the title in 2000, 2004 and 2007, was seeded fifth for this year's meet, which kicks off with the first round on Wednesday, and compatriot Sony Dwi Kuncoro, who was seeded sixth, has now moved up a rung. However, in Monday's draw there was no change in the top four with world number one Lin Dan of China the top seed while Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei is second. China's Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin, the reigning All-England champion, are in third and fourth place. Indonesia team manager Luis Pongoh said Taufik did not travel with the team to Malaysia after claiming a back injury, but he did not rule out other factors behind his late withdrawal. "That was what he told us but there could be other reasons. For one, Indonesia are giving the Thomas Cup finals serious attention. That could also be a reason for his withdrawal as he wants to regain the Thomas Cup for Indonesia after losing to China twice in the last two finals," he said. In his absence, Indonesia will be banking on two other seasoned shuttlers in Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Simon Santoso.
I am so dissapointed with his withdrawal. May be I should just cancel my JB trip :crying: Anyone going?
I am also quite disssapointed because can't meet Taufik this year but don't cancel the trip as you will be able to watch other big players like Lin Dan and the rest of China players..Plus the price of tickets are really cheap,so don't miss it..
OK. May be i'll cross the causeway this Sat to watch LCW vs BCL in semiF Btw, where is the venue? paiseh, never been to JB stadium nobody is going? i guess no one wanna meet jimbo :crying:
Well..Do you know where is New York Hotel or Plaza Pelangi or even the police station???The stadium is around there..Hmm..Our BC member Loh and Hcyong will be going..
perhaps someone is preparing to reclaim his OG Champ status , assuming he's selected and makes it that is >_>...
you'll see the Stadium Bandaraya before you reach Plaza Pelangi if you're coming from the immigrations dun forget to bring lots of cash to buy the souvenir t-shirts and the new model yonex shoes SHB-91
u wanna go this Sat? Lets go together (JB is not a safe place to travel alone ). I'm still trying to get Uncle Loh to go with me...
KOMPAS today's edition (April 15, 2008) reports TH as ABC defending champion didn't participate this time because his waist has problem so it will be better he's staying home to focus on Thomas Cup preparation.
Speaking of which(repairing), Team SIN has major overhauls over several badminton playersWhy don't you update us over the forum