Jakarta – Former world champion Marcus Fernaldi Gideon has weighed in on Indonesia’s performance at the 2026 All England Open, expressing pride in the run of Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin while acknowledging the dominance of South Korean pair Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae. Indonesia failed to secure a title at the prestigious tournament, with the men’s doubles team reaching the semifinal stage as their best result.
The All England Open, a cornerstone of the badminton calendar, concluded without an Indonesian finalist in any category. While the overall results were a disappointment, Gideon highlighted the impressive showing of Raymond Indra/Nikolaus Joaquin, who ultimately fell to Kim Won Ho/Seo Seung Jae in the semifinal round on Saturday, March 7th.
“Raymond/Joaquin’s achievement, reaching the semifinal, was outstanding,” Gideon said Tuesday, March 10th, at the Gideon Badminton Hall in Ciangsana, Bogor, West Java. “But the target wasn’t necessarily there. The expectation was perhaps for Fajar/Fikri or Leo/Bagas to go further. It’s a good result for Raymond/Joaquin, but for the overall men’s doubles performance, it was a little short of what we usually expect. We typically have at least one pair in the final.”
Gideon, a two-time All England champion alongside Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo in 2017 and 2018, believes the Indonesian team’s training regimen is on the right track. “The training is good, and I feel the program at the national training center (Pelatnas PBSI) is also quite good,” he stated. He noted the tiered system within the national program – Pelatnas A, B, and AB – and suggested that rewards are tied to tournament success.
But, Gideon admitted uncertainty about the specific reasons behind the men’s doubles team’s inability to reach the final. “I’m not entirely sure what the problem is,” he confessed. “But in my time, we always pushed forward, win or lose. That had its pros and cons, but it motivated the players. But Kim/Seo are just incredibly difficult to beat right now.”
The South Korean duo of Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae have emerged as a formidable force in men’s doubles. Gideon emphasized their exceptional defensive capabilities and consistency as key factors in their success. “Kim/Seo are very difficult to defeat at the moment. You have to be able to play a long game because their defense is strong, and even powerful smashes don’t always get through,” he explained. He pointed out that even India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty struggled to penetrate their defense.
Indonesia’s dominance in men’s doubles, particularly during the period when Gideon and Sukamuljo – known as “Minions” – reigned supreme, has been a hallmark of the nation’s badminton prowess. The pair held the world No. 1 ranking from September 2017 to 2022 and secured consecutive All England titles in 2017 and 2018. That era of dominance has since shifted, with Japanese pair Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi rising to the top of the rankings.
Despite the changing landscape, Gideon remains optimistic about Indonesia’s future prospects in men’s doubles. He believes that Indonesian pairs can challenge Kim/Seo, but it will require a strategic approach. “I think you have to be able to play a long game because their defense is good, while the shuttlecock (at All England) is said to be a bit heavy, so you have to be able to last and not rush,” Gideon said. “A powerful smash doesn’t always go through directly, especially if the power isn’t there. So, you have to think about how to play. Not everything hit hard will be a winner, but there should be a way out.”
Gideon specifically highlighted the potential of Leo Rolly Carnando, noting his strong service game. “Leo has a good serve; he should be able to take advantage of the first, second, and third shots,” he said. “But if it doesn’t result in a point, you have to be able to last and not give up. You have to quickly finish it on the third shot. But when we play, we must always have many plans. If plan one doesn’t operate out, we should switch to plan B. Because not everything we expect will immediately work; reality is often different.”
Nikolaus Joaquin, born September 14, 2005, currently ranks 17th in the world in men’s doubles with Raymond Indra as of March 3, 2026. He is affiliated with the Djarum club and has represented Indonesia in several international competitions, including the Asia Team Championships and World Junior Championships. His partnership with Raymond Indra represents a new generation of Indonesian badminton talent.
Looking ahead, Gideon emphasized the importance of adaptability and strategic planning for Indonesian doubles teams aiming to challenge the top players like Kim/Seo. The All England 2026 results serve as a valuable learning experience, prompting a reevaluation of strategies and a renewed focus on developing the next generation of badminton stars.
The Indonesian team will now turn its attention to upcoming tournaments, seeking to build on the experience gained at the All England Open and regain its position as a dominant force in men’s doubles. Further updates on the team’s preparations and tournament schedule will be released by the PBSI in the coming weeks.
(mcy/krs)
