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It is rather a diplomatic comment than ambition. Youth and Sports Minister Andi Mallarangeng says Indonesia’s best chance to win gold in the 2012 London Olympics be in badminton.  For the 2012 London Olympics, Indonesia will send representatives for weightlifting, archery, badminton and swimming.  The perception from general public of Indonesia's chance to earn even one gold is slim and probably none. Even Indonesian badminton Olympic gold medalist Susi Susanti doubted Indonesia’s chances of claiming gold in London. She mentions if the preparation of the athletes are not sufficient.  Athletes should not only train physically but mentally which takes longer and persistent.  “The pressure of the Olympics is very different. If we are serious about being champions then the preparations must be maximal,” she said.

British ambassador to Indonesia Mark Canning said if there is chance for Indonesia in the mixed doubles and men’s doubles categories.  Indonesia’s mixed doubles duo Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir are currently ranked fifth in the world. In the men’s doubles category, Indonesia has several choices such as Bona Septano and Muhammad Ahsan, Markis Kido and Hendra Setiawan, and Alvent Yulianto Chandra and Hendra Aprida Gunawan.  However, the process will not be easy like in early 90's in which Indonesia only had to worry China.  Now the threats are coming from everywhere.  Even the mixed doubles pairs from Korea, Thailand and even Chinese Taipei are getting stronger.  The men doubles threats may also come from Japan, Korea and Denmark.

The dust is finally settled.  Kumpoo Macau Open 2011 is the show of two greatest badminton countries in the world, China and Korea.  As shown in the BWF and IBF  ranking, China dominates the women single category.  However, the women double category is now belonged to Korea.  Do you remember the upset of Uber Cup a few years back?

Wang Shixian is finally showing her supermacy by winning the semi final stage of her country rival, Li Xuerui in three set, 20-22 21-11 and 21-16.  During the previous two events, Hong Kong and China Open, Wang was not doing well.  This is her come back to keep her nomination alive for next year Olympics. Meanwhile, the raising star, Li Han is all over Shao Chieh Chang in convincing winning match 21-9 21-17.

The men final will feature Du Pengyu who won the semi final match of Simon Santoso in 53 minutes.  The score was 21-17 21-17.  On the other floor, Muhammad Hafiz Hashim could continue his strikes.  He was stopped by Hyun Il Lee 21-16 and 21-11. 

The men doubles will feature two favorites pairs.  Sung Hyun Ko/ Yeon Seong Yoo will face Biao Chai/ Zhendong Guo in the final.  Ko/ Yoo won from Alvent Yulianto Chandra/ Hendra A. Gunawan in straight set, 21-13 21-18.  Guo/ Chai also won in straight set 21-17 23-21 of Chieh Min Fang/ Sheng Mu Lee.

In women doubles, both Korean pairs stopped Japanese contenders back to back.  Kyung Eun Jung/ Ha Na Kim stopped Miyuki Maeda/ Satoko Suetsuna 21-14 19-21 and 21-13.  Hye Won Eom/ Ye Na Jung won of Shizuka Matsuo/ Mami Naito 21-14-21-10.

The mixed match will feature Indonesian Tontowi Ahmad/ Liliyana Natsir against Hung Ling Chen/ Wen Hsing Cheng.  Tontowi/ Liliyana won from the third seed pair of Thailand, Sudke Prapakamol/ Saralee Thoungthongkam 21-17 21-11.  Chen/ Cheng won the match from Muhammad Rijal/ Debby Susanto 18-21 21-14 and 21-14.

You do not have to be a fortune teller to predict Taufik's fate in competitive badminton arena.  Since the disappointing lost in 2011 US & Canada Open, Taufik had not shown any sign of competitive edge.  In fact, his performance went down further.  Following his North America tour,  Taufik could not even catch up Derrick Wong of Singapore in Yonex World Championship 2011.  He simply gave up in straight set 17-21 14-21 within 31 minutes of match.  Then within a month, he bailed out on the 1st round of 2011 Japan Open to Taiwanese rookie Tien Chen Chou.

His legacy in home court also got tarnished.  He was stopped by his own country man, Tommy Sugiarto in straight set 10-21 15-21 at Bankaltim Indonesia Open GP 2011 semi final stage.  Then the disappointing lost in 2011 Denmark Open to another Denmark rookie, Victor Axelsen and 1st round exit in French Open 2011 to Wang Zhengming, again in straight set.

Of course this trend is not a shocking news to all professional athletes.   We can refer to Tiger Woods, Mike Tyson and other legendary professional sportsmen.  The bad news is about the future of Indonesia badminton.  Up 'till this moment, there is NONE of men single players from Indonesia who are consistent and capable to maintain their progress in international tournament.  Rumbaka is probably still young, but he is not progressing to the level of serious contender.  Tommy Sugiarto is up and down, which we have not seen him beating any players from China.  Andre Tedjono just recently won the Swiss International Open, but that is a second class event, where they are not many elite players were there to challenge his talents.

So, what can Indonesia do? When Taufik is done, Indonesia badminton era is also finished?