I have said it clearly, the absency of someone from a tournament, doesn't justify anyone to call it as an act of cowardice. You are free to think the other way anyway.
if only he (Rudi) was absent in only one occasion, then I'm agree with you. it is not fair to called someone as a coward.
but since he was absent in 5 or 6 occasion,...
btw, when Ina vs any country in IBF competition (team and individual)...
AE 1968, 69,70, 71, 72 until 76 or 77...he (Rudi) always participated
Thomas Cup 1967, 70, 73, 76 and 79...he always there
meanwhile when China vs Ina...
Asian Games 1974...
Invitational Bangkok 1976...
ABC 1978 (as you claim)...
Asian Games 1978...
Badminton Friendly Singapore 1980...
he always absent
very strange
China - Indonesia national team has played during 60's when Rudy was not playing for national team yet.
1963 Indonesia national team visited China and they Lost.
1964 China come to Jakarta and they Won
1964 Indonesia come to Beijing and they Won
1974 Indonesia Lost in Asian Games Teheran
1976 China lost in Asian Badminton Championship India
1976 China lost in Invitational Bangkok
There was another meeting in Jakarta 1963, where Indonesia won, but later on Tang confirmed that they were told to lose by the coaches to respect Indonesia as the host of that GANEFO games. I don't include this meeting in the list.
source please especially 2 events in 1976.
cmiiw, Invitational Bangkok only for individual, not team competition
Anyway Iie Sumirat is 6 years older than Han Jian. And He lost to many other players other than Han Jian. Same goes to other great players, there are days they don't perform well because of injuries and many other factors.
I don't think Sumirat is a great player.
being a "giant killer" doesn't mean he is great, plus one of the giant is too old for badminton competition.
Tian Houwei (ranked outside 100) can win against world #1 Lee Chong Wei, but is he a great player ?
anyway, what else Sumirat can win ?
I don't know exactly, but he never won World Champ, Asian Games, French open, All England, Denmark open and so on...so what is so special about him ?
if Sumirat vs Tang or Hou happened 2 or 5 years before, I'm very sure Tang and Hou will win.
since 1974 AG, Tang switch to MD or XD, because this is easier for old player who nearly retire, but Sumirat (born 1956) only can win in rubber sets against Tang (born 1942) and Hou (born 1944)...so we can say Sumirat only can win with stamina advantage.