Injury-prone Sony returns for another crack at the top
Top News 2:20 PM
INJURIES have wreaked havoc to the career of Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro but it had not broken his spirit, just yet.
The 27-year-old is on a second wave of recovery from a back injury and this time, he is bent on becoming more prominent in his bid to book a ticket to the Olympics in London next year.
Sony, who is in Alor Setar for the Malaysia Open Grand Prix Gold, said that he was not ready to throw in the towel.
“I always want to become Indonesia’s great player, win major titles and be a prominent figure. So far, it is still an unfulfilled dream,” he said.
“Injuries have become my nightmare but I am giving it another shot to make my way to the top. It will be a gradual process but I can make it if I persevere. I do not want to end my career without a major titles, not yet.”
Sony’s best achievement was a runner-up finish in the 2007 world championships. But to Malaysians, he is best remembered as the player who dashed Lee Chong Wei’s world title hopes twice – in the third round in 2007 (KL) and in the quarter-finals in 2009 (Hyderabad).
Sony’s game took a nosedive with a serious back injury after the world championships in 2007.
He made his way back in 2009 and enjoyed several high points in his career last year before suffering the injury again just before the Thomas Cup Finals last year.
“I am training under coach Agus (Dwi Santoso) and Li Mao. But it all depends on me right now,” said Sony.
“This GP Gold event is a starting point for me in earning qualification for the Olympics. There will be many more opportunities in the next one year to improve on my world ranking. I am determined to make a comeback.”
He is now the world No. 37 and is the fifth ranked Indonesian behind Taufik Hidayat (3rd), Simon Santoso (9th), Alamsyah Yunus (19th), Hayom Rumbaka Dionysius (22nd) and Tommy Sugiarto (26th).
A country can have at least two qualifiers for the London Olympics if both of them are in the top eight in the world rankings by end of April next year.
Posted by Lucas Liau
on 2:20 PM.
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