Loh
Regular Member
The just concluded SPAS 2003 held in the recently renovated Singapore Badminton Hall, which was as hot as an oven as the exhaust fans were not turned on possibly because of the fear of draught, attracted about 150 players from seven countries mainly from the Southeast Asian region and from as far away as India, Japan and Macau (3 entries).
Our nearest neighbour, Malaysia, sent in the largest contingent of 52 players followed by Indonesia (27) and Thailand (21). Host Singapore entered 40 players. From the players' list, one could not see any 'big' names except for Singapore's world-ranked player, Ronald Susilo and recently crowned Commonwealth Games Ladies Champion, Li Li. Even Malaysian Open Runner-up, Lee Chong Wei, was withdrawn the last minute together with compatriot, Yeoh Kay Bin. So this tournament was clearly meant for the up-and-coming young stars of the future to hone their skills and test their standards against their counterparts. Personally, it is heartening to learn that the SBA is playing its part to develop the game in the region by holding this annual event.
Throughout the six days of competition, the young men and women showed great exuberance and determination but by the QF stage, one could tell who were the better ones who could possibly create some upset.
The most outstanding youngster rests with Indonesia's MS candidate, Simon Santoso, a relatively short player but quick at the feet and packs a powerful smash. He demolished all the other young aspirants on his way to the Semi-Finals with rather embarassing scores of usually under 5 per game until he met his match in the experienced and once world-ranked Singapore Indonesian import, Indra Wijaya, elder brother of Candra Wijaya, Indonesia's doubles specialist. Indra won the first game 15-11 but gave away the second at 1-15 possibly with the strategy of conserving his energy as he was tiring fast being much older than his opponent. Indeed in the rubber, Indra took an almost unassailable lead of 10-1, before Simon slowly and patiently clawed his was back with well-executed strokes and powerful smashes to take the game and match 15-11. However, Simon was no match for Ronald Susilo who left him with a pitiful scoreline of 15-5 and 15-3 in 35 minutes during the Finals.
Indeed, it was Singapore's day at the Finals as all its flag bearers brushed aside all competition to clinch the honours by winning all the five titles. Apart from Ronald who won the MS, Li Li (Seed 2 behind Xiao Luxi, who disappointed by losing to Antarini Silvi of Indonesia 4-11 and 3-11 during Round 2) captured the LS, Saputra Hendri Kurniawa & Setiawan Denny, true to their No. 1 seeding, took the MD.
The surprises came from two unlikely sources in the WD and XD. The unseed pair of Jian Yanmei & Li Yujia eliminated Aroonkesorn Duanganong & Woravichitchaikul Kunchala of Thailand (#1), 15-5, 15-3 in the SF and second seed, Amin Norhashikin & Fong Chew Yen of Malaysia, 15-8, 15-1 in 31 minutes for the LD title. And Saputra Hendri Kurniawa & Li Yujia (#4) destroyed the ambitions of Abdul Latif Mohd Zakry & Fong Chew Yen of Malaysia (#1), 15-5, 15-1 in the SF and Narkthong Nuttaphon & Woravichitchaikul Kunchala (#2), 17-14, 15-2 in the Finals in 27 minutes.
The other surprises in the Finals were all Singaporean affairs when in the MD, Hendri and Denny met the unseeded veteran pair of ex-National coaches, Faris & Nunung, whom they beat in two similar games of 15-3. The Li Li had an easy task beating unseeded compatriot Jiang Yanmei 11-1, 11-5 in the LS.
The young Malaysian who shone during this tournament must be Kuan Beng Hong who was unfortunate to face Ronald in the QF and lost 7-15, 14-17 in 45 minutes. Judging by the scores, Beng Hong did better than Simon Santoso by stretching Ronald to a deuce in the second game.
It was unfortunate that the SPAS 2003 came so close after the Malaysian Open and as a result sacrifices had to be made. Ronald Susilo was prevented from participating in the MO as he had to support the local tourney. He might have been able to earn some more points for his Olympic pursuit, unlike the SPAS which is a lowly-rated event. Then Lee and Yeoh, the better players from Malaysia, might not have to withdraw. The young upstarts may have a chanve to play against the more experienced players.
But then, Year 2003 has been chaotic and unpredictable for long periods because of SARs. That resulted in many major events coming very close to one another causing alot of stress and physical strain to both players and organizers alike. Let's hope that the SARs virus will not rear its ugly head again during winter as many have feared, so that the rest of the major unconcluded IBF tournaments can continue uninterrupted!
I want to continue watching world-class tournaments on the telly.
Our nearest neighbour, Malaysia, sent in the largest contingent of 52 players followed by Indonesia (27) and Thailand (21). Host Singapore entered 40 players. From the players' list, one could not see any 'big' names except for Singapore's world-ranked player, Ronald Susilo and recently crowned Commonwealth Games Ladies Champion, Li Li. Even Malaysian Open Runner-up, Lee Chong Wei, was withdrawn the last minute together with compatriot, Yeoh Kay Bin. So this tournament was clearly meant for the up-and-coming young stars of the future to hone their skills and test their standards against their counterparts. Personally, it is heartening to learn that the SBA is playing its part to develop the game in the region by holding this annual event.
Throughout the six days of competition, the young men and women showed great exuberance and determination but by the QF stage, one could tell who were the better ones who could possibly create some upset.
The most outstanding youngster rests with Indonesia's MS candidate, Simon Santoso, a relatively short player but quick at the feet and packs a powerful smash. He demolished all the other young aspirants on his way to the Semi-Finals with rather embarassing scores of usually under 5 per game until he met his match in the experienced and once world-ranked Singapore Indonesian import, Indra Wijaya, elder brother of Candra Wijaya, Indonesia's doubles specialist. Indra won the first game 15-11 but gave away the second at 1-15 possibly with the strategy of conserving his energy as he was tiring fast being much older than his opponent. Indeed in the rubber, Indra took an almost unassailable lead of 10-1, before Simon slowly and patiently clawed his was back with well-executed strokes and powerful smashes to take the game and match 15-11. However, Simon was no match for Ronald Susilo who left him with a pitiful scoreline of 15-5 and 15-3 in 35 minutes during the Finals.
Indeed, it was Singapore's day at the Finals as all its flag bearers brushed aside all competition to clinch the honours by winning all the five titles. Apart from Ronald who won the MS, Li Li (Seed 2 behind Xiao Luxi, who disappointed by losing to Antarini Silvi of Indonesia 4-11 and 3-11 during Round 2) captured the LS, Saputra Hendri Kurniawa & Setiawan Denny, true to their No. 1 seeding, took the MD.
The surprises came from two unlikely sources in the WD and XD. The unseed pair of Jian Yanmei & Li Yujia eliminated Aroonkesorn Duanganong & Woravichitchaikul Kunchala of Thailand (#1), 15-5, 15-3 in the SF and second seed, Amin Norhashikin & Fong Chew Yen of Malaysia, 15-8, 15-1 in 31 minutes for the LD title. And Saputra Hendri Kurniawa & Li Yujia (#4) destroyed the ambitions of Abdul Latif Mohd Zakry & Fong Chew Yen of Malaysia (#1), 15-5, 15-1 in the SF and Narkthong Nuttaphon & Woravichitchaikul Kunchala (#2), 17-14, 15-2 in the Finals in 27 minutes.
The other surprises in the Finals were all Singaporean affairs when in the MD, Hendri and Denny met the unseeded veteran pair of ex-National coaches, Faris & Nunung, whom they beat in two similar games of 15-3. The Li Li had an easy task beating unseeded compatriot Jiang Yanmei 11-1, 11-5 in the LS.
The young Malaysian who shone during this tournament must be Kuan Beng Hong who was unfortunate to face Ronald in the QF and lost 7-15, 14-17 in 45 minutes. Judging by the scores, Beng Hong did better than Simon Santoso by stretching Ronald to a deuce in the second game.
It was unfortunate that the SPAS 2003 came so close after the Malaysian Open and as a result sacrifices had to be made. Ronald Susilo was prevented from participating in the MO as he had to support the local tourney. He might have been able to earn some more points for his Olympic pursuit, unlike the SPAS which is a lowly-rated event. Then Lee and Yeoh, the better players from Malaysia, might not have to withdraw. The young upstarts may have a chanve to play against the more experienced players.
But then, Year 2003 has been chaotic and unpredictable for long periods because of SARs. That resulted in many major events coming very close to one another causing alot of stress and physical strain to both players and organizers alike. Let's hope that the SARs virus will not rear its ugly head again during winter as many have feared, so that the rest of the major unconcluded IBF tournaments can continue uninterrupted!
I want to continue watching world-class tournaments on the telly.
