INDONESIA INT’L – Youngsters make their marks

Two teenagers came out on top in the singles categories at the Prim-A Indonesia International Challenge in Surabaya on Sunday, including a stunning victory by 15-year-old Jonatan Christie over veteran Alamsyah Yunus.

Photos: Badmintonphoto (archives)

It was a sweep for Indonesia on finals day in Surabaya but more than that, there was some real promise afoot as Jonatan Christie (pictured) took his first international title at the tender age of 15.  Christie had already had more than his share of the limelight for an athlete of his age.  Not only did he take a major supporting role in Ari Sihasale’s 2009 feature film King, but just last month, he was selected to receive a ceremonial passing of the racquet at the retirement presentation for star Taufik Hidayat on finals day of the Djarum Indonesia Open Superseries Premier.

Christie showed he is more than just a face for the cameras, however, as he beat former top 20 regular Alamsyah Yunus in straight games to take his first International Challenge title.

Preceding him on court was 19-year-old Dinar Dyah Ayustine, who needed nearly an hour to dispatch Bulgarian teen Stefani Stoeva (pictured right) in three games.

Praveen Jordan, who has made the big-time partering star veteran Vita Marissa in mixed doubles this year, finally took an International Challenge title in men’s doubles with his regular partner Didit Juang.  They needed over an hour and extra points in the deciding game to finally see off compatriots Hardianto / Agripinna Prima Rahmanto Putra.

Final results
XD: Ardiansyah / Devi Tika Permatasari (INA) [4] beat Yodhi Satrio / Mahadewi Istirani Ni Ketut (INA)  19-21, 21-18, 21-19
MD: Praveen Jordan / Didit Juang (INA) beat Hardianto / Agripinna Prima Rahmanto Putra (INA) 17-21, 21-16, 23-21
WS: Dinar Dyah Ayustine (INA) beat Stefani Stoeva (BUL) [6] 13-21, 21-15, 21-12
MS: Christie Jonatan (INA) beat Alamsyah Yunus (INA) [1] 21-17, 21-10
WD: Maretha Dea Giovani / Melvira Oklamona (INA) [4] beat Shella Devi Aulia / Anggia Shitta Awanda (INA) [3]  21-12, 21-18

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