Badminton/World Championships: Joko Writes Off Malaysia
Graig Nunis
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FORMER world champion Joko Suprianto has written off Malaysia’s hopes for the World Championships.
The 1983 gold medallist said Hafiz Hashim has a chance of doing well in Birmingham but even then, he stopped short of saying the current All-England Open champion will win the title.
“I do not think the Malaysian players have a good draw for the event,” said Joko, who is now the Indonesian coach.
“Of all their players, only Hafiz has a good chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.
“Even then, it will be difficult for him as he is likely to face his own brother (Roslin) in the second round.
“It will be a difficult time for the two.”
The other Malaysians in the men’s singles are Wong Choong Hann and Lee Tsuen Seng.
Lee Wan Wah-Choong Tan Fook and Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng are in the doubles while Wong Mew Choo and Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty are involved in the women’s singles and doubles.
As for his own team, Joko played it close to his chest.
“We won two titles in 2001 and we will be happy if we can match that here,” he said.
“I can’t tell you whom we have targeted to win but suffice to say, we know where we stand.”
For the record, Hendrawan and Tony Gunawan-Halim Haryanto won the men’s singles and doubles titles respectively in 2001.
Unfortunately for Indonesia, they will not be around to defend their titles.
As such, Asian Games champion Taufik Hidayat is expected to lead their singles challenge while 1997 winners Candra Wijaya-Sigit Budiarto will be their best bets for the doubles title.
Graig Nunis
Send to a friend | Printable Page
FORMER world champion Joko Suprianto has written off Malaysia’s hopes for the World Championships.
The 1983 gold medallist said Hafiz Hashim has a chance of doing well in Birmingham but even then, he stopped short of saying the current All-England Open champion will win the title.
“I do not think the Malaysian players have a good draw for the event,” said Joko, who is now the Indonesian coach.
“Of all their players, only Hafiz has a good chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.
“Even then, it will be difficult for him as he is likely to face his own brother (Roslin) in the second round.
“It will be a difficult time for the two.”
The other Malaysians in the men’s singles are Wong Choong Hann and Lee Tsuen Seng.
Lee Wan Wah-Choong Tan Fook and Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng are in the doubles while Wong Mew Choo and Chin Eei Hui-Wong Pei Tty are involved in the women’s singles and doubles.
As for his own team, Joko played it close to his chest.
“We won two titles in 2001 and we will be happy if we can match that here,” he said.
“I can’t tell you whom we have targeted to win but suffice to say, we know where we stand.”
For the record, Hendrawan and Tony Gunawan-Halim Haryanto won the men’s singles and doubles titles respectively in 2001.
Unfortunately for Indonesia, they will not be around to defend their titles.
As such, Asian Games champion Taufik Hidayat is expected to lead their singles challenge while 1997 winners Candra Wijaya-Sigit Budiarto will be their best bets for the doubles title.