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PERSONALITIES: SUSI AND ALAN EXPECTING A BABY

September 19, 1998 (NEW SHUTTLENWS) - Indonesian badminton stars Susi Susanti and Alan Budi Kusuma, both of whom won gold medals at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, are expecting a baby. According to a badminton fan who lives in Jakarta, Susanti announced her pregnancy earlier today.

Susanti and Kusuma were married in one of Jakarta's top social events early last year, after a long and much-publicized romance.

Susanti had previously indicated that she would be making the Asian Games scheduled for December in Bangkok her last major tournament and that she would be retiring after that competition to become a homemaker and mother. Her announcement today means that she will be moving up her retirement from competitive badminton.

The Asian Games women's singles title is the only major championship that has frustrated and eluded the Indonesian singles ace. Susanti had wanted to retire from the sport with the Asian Games gold medal around her neck, but her pregnancy means that this will probably not happen.

Susanti last played in the Singapore Open in August. She made it to the final where she was defeated by China's Ye Zhaoying 5-11, 11-6 and 2-11.

(afan/dsimmons)