Verawaty Fadjrin, Indonesian badminton great succumbs to cancer

JAKARTA, Nov 21 -- Verawaty Fadjrin, who saw many fine achievements in her badminton heydays in the 1970s and 1980s, died Sunday morning after battling with lung cancer for several years. She was 64.

The Badminton Association of Indonesia chairman Agung Firman Sampurna expressed sadness at the demise of one of the country’s greatest badminton players.

“The deceased was a player who contributed greatly to the achievement of Indonesian badminton on the world stage," he was quoted saying by Antara.

In a tweet, Presiden Joko Widodo also conveyed his condolences to the family.

Verawaty, is survived by her husband Fadjriansyah Bidoein, her basketballer son Fidyan Dini and two grandchildren.

She won international titles including the 1980 IBF World Championships where she defeated fellow countrywoman Ivana Lie in the singles, and the Indonesia Open in 1982.

Her early titles in women's doubles were in partnership with Imelda Wiguno, at the Asian Games (1978), All England (1979), and the Southeast Asian Games (1981).

In her final year playing international tournaments, pairing with Yanti Kusmiati in women’s doubles and with Eddy Hartono in mix doubles, she provided the two wins for the Garuda team’s decisive 3-2 victory over South Korea in the final Sudirman Cup 1989.

-- BERNAMA