Latest news with #IndonesianNationalBadmintonAssociation
The Star
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Fajar-Rian out to mark 11-year union with title
Tall order: Indonesia's Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto could take on Denmark's Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in the quarter-finals. PETALING JAYA: Indonesia's men's doubles shuttler Fajar Alfian is out to crown his 11-year partnership with Rian Ardianto with their first gold in the World Championships. Fajar is set to reunite with Rian in the prestigious meet from Aug 25-31 in Paris after a brief split. The 30-year-old Fajar is in fine from, winning the China Open title in his last tournament with Shohibul Fikri last month. Fajar is keen to replicate his performance this time with Rian, 29 in Paris. 'We definitely want to mark our 11-year partnership by winning the world title,' said Fajar in an interview posted in the Indonesian National Badminton Association (PBSI) website. 'We have never won gold before, so it will be very meaningful if we can finally end our long wait in Paris. 'Based on the draw, it won't be easy. We need to focus fully on each match.' Fajar-Rian's best achievement in the world meet so far was winning bronze in the 2019 and 2022 editions. The pair, who are currently ranked No. 4 in the world, have been placed in the top half of the draw this time with the likes of South Korea's world No. 1 Seo Seung-jae-Kim Won-ho, Denmark's world No. 5 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and Malaysia's Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 7). Fajar-Rian could take on Astrup-Rasmussen in the quarter-finals before a possible last four clash against either Seung-jae-Won-ho or Wei Chong-Kai Wun. The Indonesians need to raise their game after struggling for form this year with their best showing together coming at home in the Indonesian Masters in Jakarta in January where they finished runners-up to Wei Chong-Kai Wun. Indonesia's hopes in Paris in the men's doubles will also be on world No. 8 Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza and world No. 10 Leo Rolly-Bagas Mohd Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan were the last Indonesians to win the men's doubles title in 2019.
The Star
12-08-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Young Indonesian pair Jafar-Felisha capable of going the distance in Paris
PETALING JAYA: Watch out for fast-rising Indonesian mixed doubles shuttlers Jafar Hidayatullah-Felisha Pasaribu in the World Championships. Jafar-Felisha only combined a year ago but have clicked quickly and rose to No. 1 in the mixed doubles in Indonesia. The world No. 11 duo are set to pose a threat to their rivals in their first appearance in the world meet from Aug 25-31 in Paris. Jafar-Felisha proved their capabilities by bagging the World Tour Super 300 Taiwan Open title in May. The pair also captured bronze in their debut Asian Championships in April and reached the semi-finals of the Super 1000 China Open last month. Indonesian doubles coach Rionny Mainaky has backed Jafar-Felisha to defy the odds again and reach the final in Paris. "I have seen that Jafar and Felisha are capable of handling pressure. I want them to prove themselves in the World Championships," said Rionny in an interview posted in the Indonesian National Badminton Association (PBSI) website. "They have the skills and they are ready. Now, it only depends on their commitment and fighting spirit. "They only lost matches in Super 750 and 1000 tournaments due to small mistakes. We have analysed these and they know where they went wrong now. "If they are fully focused and can stay fit, I'm confident they can reach the final in Paris. They are young and have plenty of potential," added Rionny. Tantowi Ahmad-Liliyana Natsir were the last Indonesians to win the mixed doubles gold in the world meet when they triumphed in the 2017 edition in Glasgow. Tantowi-Liliyana also won the title in 2013 in Guangzhou. Indonesia have struggled to hit similar heights in the mixed doubles since the legendary pair's retirement. Jafar, 22 and Felisha, who only turns 20 next month, could be the ones to finally fill the void left behind by Tantowi-Liliyana. The youngsters will be keen to prove that they can follow in their seniors' footsteps with a good showing in Paris.
The Star
10-08-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Indonesian Alwi eyes world stage spotlight after taking Viktor's spot
Indonesia's Alwi Farhan. - AFP PETALING JAYA: Indonesia's rising star Alwi Farhan could be the one to make the loudest noise at the World Championships after earning a last-minute call-up. The world No. 23 was promoted from the reserves list following the withdrawal of Denmark's two-time world champion Viktor Axelsen, who pulled out of the men's singles event from Aug 25-31 in Paris due to injury. Just last week, Alwi underlined his form by clinching the World Tour Super 300 Macau Open title, defeating Malaysia's Justin Hoh in the final. Now, the 20-year-old is determined to make the most of his debut appearance on badminton's biggest stage. "I'm really thankful to get this opportunity. I never expected to play in the world meet," said Alwi in an interview posted in the Indonesian National Badminton Association (PBSI) website. "I'm excited as this will be my first world meet but I need to control my emotions. I want to make the most of this opportunity and gain lots of experience. "I want to prepare well and give my all. Now that it's confirmed, I need to focus fully on training." Alwi has been Indonesia's most promising player since winning the world junior title in 2023. The youngster has steadily moved up the rankings after progressing to the senior level and is currently Indonesia's second highest ranked men's singles player behind world No. 5 Jonatan Christie. Alwi only started competing in World Tour Super 750 and 1000 tournaments this year and the world meet will present him with another platform to showcase his abilities. Meanwhile, Jonatan and Anthony Ginting will be the other Indonesian representatives in the men's singles in Paris. Surprisingly, no Indonesian shuttler has won a medal in the men's singles in the prestigious event since Tommy Sugiarto claimed bronze in the 2014 edition in Copenhagen. Taufik Hidayat was the last Indonesian to win the men's singles title when he triumphed in 2005 in Anaheim.
The Star
06-08-2025
- 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.
The Star
06-08-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Possible permanent partnership of Fajar-Shohibul serves new threat to Malaysia
National men's doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in action against Taiwan's Liu Kuang-heng-Yang Po-han in the second round match of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Thursday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Indonesian men's doubles shuttlers Fajar Alfian-Shohibul Fikri 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.
