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The Star
4 days ago
- 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
6 days ago
- 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.
The Star
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Fajar swaps partner in bid to end Indonesia's title drought
Break-up: Indonesia men's doubles shuttlers Fajar Alfian will split up with Muhammad Rian Ardianto temporarily. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Do not write off Indonesia's men's doubles just yet. That's the rallying cry from top shuttler Fajar Alfian as he is optimistic that his country's World Tour title drought in the men's doubles will be over soon this year. Despite being traditionally strong in the men's doubles, Indonesia have surprisingly fired blanks as far as titles are concerned so far this year – an unusual dry spell for a nation renowned for their depth and dominance in the discipline. And Fajar believes that a temporary switch-and-swap in partnership for him will work wonders. The 30-year-old Fajar, who is ranked fifth in the world with Rian Ardianto, will embark on a short partnership with Shohibul Fikri in the Japan Open starting on Tuesday in Tokyo and the China Open from July 22-27 in Changzhou. This is after Shohibul's regular partner Daniel Marthin underwent knee surgery last month and will need some time to recover. Fajar is hoping to impress with Shohibul in the two Opens. "Our men's doubles have not won a title this year but for me, it's just a matter of time that one of our pairs become champions," said Fajar in an interview in the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) website. "So far this year, some of us have reached finals in tournaments but we have missed out on titles. "It will definitely not be easy but we have to keep aiming high. I'm optimistic that we can do better moving forward." Fajar's best performance with Rian so far this year came at home in the Indonesian Masters in Jakarta in January where they finished runners-up to Malaysia's world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun. In the Japan and China tourneys, Fajar and Shohibul are set to present a tricky challenge for their rivals. The pair could go up against Malaysia's world No. 1 and defending champions Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani if they reach the last eight. Fajar-Shohibul though will first have to navigate a difficult opening match against world No. 8 teammates Sabar Gutama-Moh Reza before a potential clash against either Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard or Taiwan's Lee Jhe-huei-Yang Po-hsuan in the second round. Another Indonesian pair in the competition hoping to end their title drought this year are world No. 9 Leo Rolly-Bagas Maulana. Leo-Bagas will play Taiwan's world No. 24 Liu Kuang-heng-Yang Po-han in the first round.
