Helsingborg: Indonesia shuttlers successfully brought back four world titles in BWF World Senior Championship that was held from September 20 to 26, in Helsinborg, Sweden.
Tony Gunawan/Flandy Limpele defeated Thailand pair Naruenart Chuaymak/Apichai Thiraratsakul 21-13, 21-9 to clinch the men’s doubles title in the 35+ age group. Tony Gunawan who partnered Candra Wijaya to win the men’s doubles gold medal for Indonesia in 2000 Sydney Olympics is currently a citizen of United States.
The second gold came from Harijanto Arbi/Tri Kusharjanto when they beat Peter Rasmussen/Thomas Stavngaard of Denmark 21-19, 21-17 to bag the men’s doubles crowns in the 40+ age bracket.
Indonesian badminton hero who helped win the 1984 Thomas Cup, Hastomo Arbi became champion in men’s singles 55+ age group after he dispatched Jack Keith Priestman of Canada 21-11, 21-13 in the finals.
The last gold medal awarded to Indonesia was in the men’s doubles 55+ group when No. 2 seeds Uun Setiawan Santoso/Simbarsono Sutanto sent No. 1 seeds Trirong Limsakul/Attakorn Maensamut packing in straight-set 21-18, 21-12 in 31 minutes.
“These results in Sweden were very encouraging and have exceeded our expectations. In the 2013 BWF World Senior Championships in Turkey, Indonesia only managed to win two gold medals,” said Bambang Roedyanto, a public relation officer from Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI).
