Olympic champ Hidayat heads for RP Open

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Taufik Hidayat, the talented Indonesian ace and
reigning Olympic champion, brings his act to Manila as
he joins the hunt for top honors in the men’s singles
of the 2007 Bingo Bonanza Philippine Open Badminton
Championships firing off July 18 at the Philsports
Arena in Pasig City.

The 26-year-old Hidayat, a six-time winner of the
Indonesian Open who captured the recent Asian
Continental Championship crown, is currently playing
in the Sudirman Cup in Scotland and is expected to hit
top form when he competes in the RP Open against some
of the top players in the world.

Hidayat’s presence will surely add luster and prestige
to the event, sponsored by Bingo Bonanza Phils. for
the second straight year, which already drew the
participation of world No. 3 Chen Hong of China,
Japan’s world No. 10 Shoji Sato and No. 19 Andrew
Smith of England.

Currently ranked No. 11 in the world, Hidayat also
ruled the Asian Games in Doha last year where he swept
world No. 1 and arch rival Lin Dan of China and has
reached the semifinals of the Indonesian Super Series
recently.

Owner of the fastest backhand smash in singles
(198mph), Hidayat is a byword in local badminton,
owing to his awesome talent and skill and his
participation in the annual MVP Cup. He thrives on
backhand, forehand drop shot and net-play, which he
hopes to display before local fans itching to witness
top level action from the world’s finest players.
Noted for his relaxed smooth playing style, Hidayat,
according to many players, has the ability to win
against any player in the world especially when he
really sets his mind into the game. His lack of
consistency and mental fortitude are often points of
criticism although, he has been recognized as the one
of the greatest players of all time.

The $120,000 RP Open, a BWF (Badminton World
Federation) Grand Prix Gold event, stakes world
ranking points and serves as an Olympic Qualifying
tournament where players shoot for important ranking
points to qualify for next year’s Olympiad in Beijing
The event, sponsored by Bingo Bonanza, Victor,
exclusively distributed by Pcome Industrial Sales,
Inc., Snickers, The Philippine Star, Solar Sports
(official broadcaster), Holiday Inn Galleria Manila
and The Richmonde (official hotels)has so far lured 26
countries, including China, England, Wales, Slovenia,
Russia, France, Switzerland, Canada, Iran, Ireland,
Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Portugal, U.S.A, Indonesia
Germany, Malaysia, Chinese Taipei, India, Greece, Austria,
New Zealand, Czech Republic, Vietnam, Australia and
Philippines, with more expected to join in the coming
weeks.

The organizing IMG is expecting close to 200 players
around 20 countries to compete in the event, which
also serves as the last major tournament before the
World Championships, thus making it a ‘must’ event for
those gearing up for the world tilt.
Registration is now ongoing, according to IMG, which
has a wealth of experience in running top-notch
badminton events. For details, contact PBA at tel.
Nos. 632 303 1070; 632 3382431 or fax: 632 303 1070;
Email: joebm_13@yahoo.com.

Aside from the singles and the men’s doubles, other
events on tap are the women’s doubles and mixed
doubles.