FIVE years ago, Hendri Kurniawan Supatra made a decision that would change his life forever.
Along with twin brother Wandri and younger brother Hendra Wijaya, the trio left the Jaya Raya Badminton Club in Jakarta in their quest for badminton glory with Singapore.
They were part of the Singapore Badminton Association's (SBA) master plan to qualify for the 2012 Thomas Cup finals.
Hendri came with excellent credentials.
With his identical twin, the doubles pair won the 1997 German Junior Open title and the 1999 Asean Schools Championships doubles crown. They also finished runners-up at the 1998 and 1999 Asian Junior Championships doubles competitions.
But in early 2004, Hendri's dreams came crashing down.
He and Hendra, by now Singapore permanent residents, were sent back to Indonesia after failing their fitness test.
However, the SBA relented when the duo asked for a second chance. They returned to Singapore last October and eventually managed to pass their fitness test earlier this year.
Hendri finally received his Singapore citizenship in July.
A South-east Asia (SEA) Games medal in the mixed doubles event is well within reach of Hendri and his partner Li Yujia, who are ranked 10th in the latest world rankings.
But they will need to be at their best to see off the likes of Malaysia's Koo Kien Keat and Wong Pei Tty (8th), Thailand's Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thungthongkam (5th) and Indonesia's Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir (2nd), the only opponents ranked higher than them in the region.(asiaone)
Source: www.badmintonplanet.com
Along with twin brother Wandri and younger brother Hendra Wijaya, the trio left the Jaya Raya Badminton Club in Jakarta in their quest for badminton glory with Singapore.
They were part of the Singapore Badminton Association's (SBA) master plan to qualify for the 2012 Thomas Cup finals.
Hendri came with excellent credentials.
With his identical twin, the doubles pair won the 1997 German Junior Open title and the 1999 Asean Schools Championships doubles crown. They also finished runners-up at the 1998 and 1999 Asian Junior Championships doubles competitions.
But in early 2004, Hendri's dreams came crashing down.
He and Hendra, by now Singapore permanent residents, were sent back to Indonesia after failing their fitness test.
However, the SBA relented when the duo asked for a second chance. They returned to Singapore last October and eventually managed to pass their fitness test earlier this year.
Hendri finally received his Singapore citizenship in July.
A South-east Asia (SEA) Games medal in the mixed doubles event is well within reach of Hendri and his partner Li Yujia, who are ranked 10th in the latest world rankings.
But they will need to be at their best to see off the likes of Malaysia's Koo Kien Keat and Wong Pei Tty (8th), Thailand's Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thungthongkam (5th) and Indonesia's Nova Widianto and Lilyana Natsir (2nd), the only opponents ranked higher than them in the region.(asiaone)
Source: www.badmintonplanet.com
