The US team of Howard Bach and Tony Gunawan (ranked # 13) provided the International Badminton Federation (IBF) World Championships held recently for the first time in the U.S.A. with the most unpredictable win of the modern era when they beat legends Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya (ranked # 2). Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia (ranked # 6) added the World Championship title to his list of achievements.
The USA had never won a gold medal in the world championship's men's double. And never before has a singles player won the Olympic Games and the World Champs title one after the other. Yet this is what happened on an exciting last day at the crowded Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California.
Taufik Hidayat arrived on court with a clear goal to make it a short match against world's number one Lin Dan for a great final. With Lin's performance during this tournament - except against Gade when he played extremely well - Taufik could hope that the Chinese would have some ups and downs. And the first game was clear proof that the 22-year-old Fujian born Lin had difficulties adapting to the court conditions.
One point after the other, until he reached 13-0, Taufik was the boss and the audience, majority from the Chinese community in Los Angeles, were clearly in Lin's favour. They seemed stunned by the unexpected turn out for what was supposed to be the dream final. A few minutes later, Taufik, remaining as calm as usual, took the first game 15-3.
The second game Lin was on the right side of the court and took the lead in the beginning, but soon Taufik was the master again, serving low only, playing in the most simple manner. Once in a while there were some big down the line smashes.
Both players looked very focused even if as time went by, Lin seemed more and more frustrated with his play. Once Taufik got even in the middle of the game, the pace of the Indonesian and the unforced errors of the Chinese made it a short 38-minute match and a disappointing 15-3 15-7 for both the public and the Chinese world number one. The statistics however showed that Lin Dan had only two more unforced errors and three more winners than the Indonesian, but the latter was just too good when the rallies got going.
Taufik can claim to have made history as the first ever men's single to get the Olympic and World Championships title the following year.
Tony Gunawan and Howard Bach made history by winning the World Championship gold medal in front of an hysteric crowd, against Tony's compatriots, Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya (Indonesia). Once again, the newly formed pair - just over a year - has proven its worth and that nothing is over until it's over, and that badminton can be a mind game.
After the US had won the first game 15-10, the Indonesians had caught up to one game all and leading in the third 11-9. "At that point, I was running out of gas and I tried to hang in there," said Tony Gunawan, with some local expressions already colouring his new American accent. But the Americans did more than "hang in there" and simply played some outstanding points back to back to finish up the match, which was one of the best ones of the competition, with it's dose of suspense and excitement.
The song "Born in the USA" was played before Tony and Howard got on the top podium for the American anthem. "You know, I have been playing badminton for a long time now, almost 25 years, and badminton is my life. My goal was promoting it throughout the USA but this win is personally special, with Candra on the same court, even if he was on the other side of the net," added the great Indonesian, who was absolutely astonishing at the net and his choices. And once again, Howard Bach had been just as reliable, earning his spot with no shame amongst these other three big stars. And becoming the first American to stand out there on the podium with the Star Spangled banner around himself.
The La Fleche Smash Off 2005 will be held on Sept. 9 to 11 at the Portside Badminton Plaza. This will coincide with the opening of the La Fleche Badminton Shop at Gorordo Ave., beside EPCIB on Sept. 8. The organizers are giving away La Fleche branded badminton gears. Leveling for the events are slated on Aug 26-27 and Sept. 3-4 at the Portside. For more inquiries, kindly contact Portside Badminton Plaza c/o Victor - (032) 3452820; Fax No. (032) 3468460 (ATTN: Victor). (joiemike@yahoo.com)