Simon opts to prepare for tour of European

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 06/25/2004 9:46 AM

Eva C. Komandjaja, Jakarta

Young shuttler Simon Santoso, whose performance failed to enable the national team to retain the Thomas Cup at the recent championship, is not among the Indonesian squad to the Malaysia Open, which starts on June 29.

The 19-year-old has opted to take up an intensive training regime for several tournaments in Europe later this year.

According to Simon's coach, Joko Supriyanto, his protg would need to improve his skills and mentality, especially after being defeated in a decisive tie with Denmark in the semifinal stage of the Thomas Cup in Jakarta in May.

Simon lost to Peter Rasmussen to hand Denmark a 3-2 win and a final ticket against eventual champion China.

""I really want him to be ready and fully prepared for the upcoming tournaments later this year.

""If I sent him to take part in the Malaysia Open it would mean he would have to halt his training and start all over again after the event,"" Joko told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

According to Joko, Simon will wrap up three months of intensive training, after which he will travel to Europe to enter several tournaments, including the Belgium Open and Denmark Open.

Apart from Simon, Eng Hian will be absent from the Malaysian Open too, leaving Flandy Limpele in a makeshift partnership with Candra Wijaya.

Eng Hian said that he wanted to take some rest before the Olympic Games, where he will be teamed up with Flandy.

Other Indonesian doubles for the Malaysian tour include Luluk Hadiyanto/Alvent Yulianto and Sigit Budiarto/Tri Kusharjanto.

""I need a break before the Olympic Games in August, while Flandy feels he needs to play continuously before a big event like that,"" he said.

World No. 9 Sony Dwi Kuncoro and Taufik Hidayat will be Indonesian hopes in the men's singles along with female compatriots Silvi Antarini, Maria Kristin and Adrianti Firdasari.

Jo Novita/Lita Nurlita are the only women's pair while the mixed contenders comprise Nova Widianto/Vita Marissa and Anggun Nugroho/Eny Widiowati.

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