TOKYO: Athens Olympic gold medalist Taufik Hidayat revealed Thursday that he will retire next year, as he reached the quarter-finals at the Japan Open.

“After the (London) Olympics, I decided to play 10 more tournaments and this is the first one. I will retire after the Indonesian Open next year,” said the Indonesian seventh seed after beating Japan’s Akira Koga 21-11, 21-10.

Hidayat, 31, who has yet to win a title this season, added: “I’m satisfied that I can still compete in a big tournament like this.

“For sure I haven’t won this tournament, but I reached the final three times before. I know I have a better chance because of the withdrawals of the Chinese players, but I’m not in my best form.

“I’m going to try to take my chances as far as possible and get the best possible result in my last Japan Open.”

Click It!’s opinion ::

i think it’s a good decision made by Hidayat to quit from badminton’s arena because for me it is the time for him to start focusing on coaching. he already wins a gold medal in Olympic 2004 in Ethans, Greece and also 6 times winner of Indonesia Open. #RESPECT

find a full version of story at :

http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2012/9/20/sports/20120920123911&sec=sports

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