THE relationship that had been dragging on for the past 11/2 years finally ended last week.

Ronald Susilo and Li Jiawei, Singapore's best-known sporting couple, have split up.

Said Susilo yesterday: "It's over. We broke up but we're still friends."

Li, who is currently in Osaka for centralised training, declined to comment when contacted.

Susilo's relationship with table-tennis star Li had been on the rocks since 2006.

Rumours were rife then that the couple, whose love affair started at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, were on the verge of breaking up.

But, even as recently as last month's South-east Asia Games, they were spotted together in the Athletes' Village in Korat, Thailand.

Susilo, 28, would also walk Li back to her bunk after meals.

News of the split did not surprise many of the couple's close friends, despite the pair having been engaged since Susilo proposed after the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The pair even bought a condominium unit in Kembangan together.

Susilo's close friend, who declined to be named, said: "It was quite clear from the start that the relationship was a mismatch, and both parties really needed to sacrifice a lot if it was to work out.

"Ronald was always giving in to Jiawei, but I don't think there was much reciprocation."

Indeed, those in the sports fraternity have long highlighted the fact that both have contrasting characters and backgrounds.

The Indonesia-born Susilo is comfortable with English and hardly speaks Mandarin, while China-born Li speaks little English.

Susilo - the youngest of four children of a Jakarta businessman and housewife - is simple, ever-obliging, and cheerful to friends and the media.

Li, the only child of a Beijing government official and housewife, has shown a materialistic streak, is quick-tempered and used to getting her own way, according to their friends.

At the recent SEA Games, she had lost earlier in a singles' preliminary-round game. The world No 6 then clearly played below her best in the women's doubles final, when paired with Wang Yuegu.

The highly-fancied duo fell to compatriots Sun Beibei and Yu Mengyu, with Li looking unhappy throughout.

An acquaintance of the 27-year-old Li said: "With Ronald and Jiawei's different attitudes towards life, it was always going to be difficult."

She had been text messaging Li last week, and thought that the paddler did not seem to be in a good mood then.

Said national table-tennis team manager Antony Lee: "Jiawei has told me that the issue is a private matter, that she doesn't want to discuss for now. The coaches have advised her to move on and channel her energy towards the Olympics."

Singapore National Olympic Council secretary-general Chris Chan, who knows both athletes well, said: "It's sad that it's ended.

"But I can understand that, being elite athletes, they hardly spent time together. And, in relationships, you need to see each other often.

"I hope both of them will carry on with their lives, and find happiness in the future."

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Jan 17, 2008.

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