Latest news with #Fajar-Shohibul
The Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Possible permanent partnership of Fajar-Shohibul serves new threat to Malaysia
PETALING JAYA: Indonesian men's doubles shuttlers Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri ( pic ) are set to pose a threat to Malaysia after earning a shot at a permanent partnership. Fajar-Shohibul, who only combined last month, stunned several top pairs including Malaysia's world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik to win the China Open title last month. Their impressive form has persuaded Indonesia's men's doubles coach Antonius Budi Ariantho to combine them again after the Hong Kong Open next month. Before that, Fajar will compete with his usual partner Rian Ardianto in the World Championships from Aug 25-31 in Paris and the Hong Kong tourney from Sept 9-14. Meanwhile, Rian will be tried out with Yeremia Rambitan after the tournament in Hong Kong. Initially, Fajar was combined with Shohibul after the latter's usual partner Daniel Marthin underwent knee surgery and needed time to recover. Daniel can now only fully recover and return to action next year. 'I'm experimenting with a few partnerships until Daniel is able to return to competitions in January next year,' said Antonius in an interview posted in the Indonesian National Badminton Association (PBSI) website. 'So, from September to December, I will observe the new partnerships and try to come up with the best permanent pairings. 'I want to see if Fajar-Fikri can remain consistent in high level tournaments.' The reshuffle is understandable as no Indonesian men's doubles pair had won a World Tour title this year until Fajar-Shohibul broke the duck in China. In contrast, Fajar has struggled to produce his best form with Rian this year. The world No. 4 duo's best result was finishing runners-up in the Indonesian Masters in January. Fajar-Rian will be hoping for better fortunes in the world meet where they will be joined by world No. 8 Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza and world No. 10 Leo Rolly-Bagas Maulana. Indonesia's last world champions in the men's doubles were Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan, who captured the title in 2019 in Basel.
New Straits Times
27-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Herry's magic couldn't break jinx
KUALA LUMPUR: Though the "Magician" Herry IP was at courtside, he couldn't end men's doubles Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik's Super 1000 jinx. In the end, it was the Indonesian coach's former disciples, Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri, who made off with the China Open title in Changzhou today. World No. 2 Aaron-Wooi Yik were a pale shadow of themselves as their China Open dream shattered into a 1,000 pieces. World No. 210 Fajar-Shohibul, a scratch pair, smashed their way to a one-sided 21-15, 21-14 win in just 35 minutes. Though Herry had led Aaron-Wooi Yik to three titles this year, he couldn't do much today, as his former players, Fajar and Shohibul — who were partnering each other for only the second time — outplay Aaron-Wooi Yik with their dynamic teamwork. Fajar-Shohibul took home US$148,000 (RM624,757) while Aaron-Wooi Yik had to settle for US$70,000. Aaron-Wooi Yik have now lost all six Super 1000 finals they contested since 2019. Fajar-Shohibul celebrated wildly, as the win marked Indonesia's first World Tour men's doubles title of the year. "We couldn't handle their speed and their quality shots. A scratch pair is always tricky and we need a bit more time to analyse their game," said Aaron. Wooi Yik said: "We did struggle against them and we were surprised with their array of shots. "We tried to come back into the match, but today they played very well. They controlled the front court effectively."
