BIRMINGHAM, England – Alwi Farhan’s impressive run at the 2026 All England Open concluded in the quarterfinal round on Friday, March 6th, but the Indonesian shuttler is focusing on the valuable experience gained during his debut appearance at the prestigious tournament. Despite falling to Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the second-seeded Thai player, Farhan views the week as a significant step forward in his burgeoning career.
Farhan, making his first appearance at the All England Open, reached the quarterfinals – a notable achievement for the young player. He was ultimately defeated by Vitidsarn 21-17, 21-12 at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. The 2026 Indonesia Masters champion expressed gratitude for the lessons learned while competing in what is considered the world’s oldest and most prestigious badminton tournament.
“First of all, I am grateful to Allah SWT, whereas I’m not entirely satisfied with my performance today,” Farhan said through the Indonesian federation. “Actually, the start of the first game was great, but from the first interval, Kunlavut changed his pattern and I wasn’t able to anticipate it quickly enough. That was my mistake.”
Farhan acknowledged Vitidsarn’s status as one of the top players in the world. The Thai player, a 2023 world champion and 2024 Olympic silver medalist, proved a formidable opponent. Even with a minor equipment issue during the match, Farhan refused to use it as an excuse for the loss.
“In the second game, there was an incident where my shoe broke, which was disruptive, but I had to push through it and that wasn’t a reason [for losing],” he explained. “There was a disadvantage, but I still acknowledge my defeat today and I will come back stronger.”
The match presented a challenge against a player known for his resilience. “Kunlavut is a tenacious player, he doesn’t give up easily, he’s a strong player right now. That’s his capital for reaching the level he’s at now. I tried to counter that, but I think I was slightly outplayed in terms of his shots,” Farhan stated.
Despite the defeat, Farhan highlighted the positive takeaways from his All England experience. “The positive thing I can take from my first All England is that the hard work I’ve put in during training, the preparation leading up to this, has shown some progress,” the 20-year-old player added. He was born on May 12, 2005.
Farhan also noted his success in avenging previous losses. “I’ve started to be able to get revenge on opponents I lost to twice before, like Chou Tien Chen, but I haven’t been able to do it against Kunlavut yet,” he said.
This tournament marks a significant milestone for the rising Indonesian star, providing valuable experience against a world-class opponent. While the quarterfinal loss is disappointing, Farhan’s focus remains on continued improvement and future success on the international badminton circuit. The All England Open, a cornerstone of the badminton calendar, continues to provide a testing ground for both established stars and emerging talents like Alwi Farhan.
Kunlavut Vitidsarn’s victory secures his place in the semi-finals, where he will face a latest challenge. For Farhan, the experience gained at the All England Open 2026 will undoubtedly serve as a foundation for future growth and a testament to his dedication to the sport.
(mcy/raw)
