Mixed Fortunes for Indonesia’s Men’s Doubles at 2026 Asian Badminton Championships

The opening rounds of the 2026 Asian Badminton Championships in Ningbo, China, delivered a stark contrast in fortunes for Indonesia’s men’s doubles contingent. While Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri cruised into the next stage with clinical efficiency, the rising duo of Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin saw their campaign end in a heartbreaking rubber-game thriller.

Competing at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Center on Wednesday, April 8, the Indonesian pairs faced vastly different challenges. For Fajar and Fikri, the day was about calibration and control. For Raymond and Joaquin, it was a grueling test of endurance that ultimately fell just short of a comeback.

Fajar and Fikri Secure Smooth Passage to Round of 16

Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri entered the tournament looking to stabilize their form after a challenging string of encounters with fellow countrymen. They found their rhythm quickly against the United Arab Emirates’ Dev Ayyappan and Dhiren Ayyappan, securing a dominant 21-12, 21-9 victory.

Despite the lopsided scoreline, Fajar noted that the match served as a vital reconnaissance mission. “In this match, we wanted to adjust to the court conditions because the field is different from our practice, as is the atmosphere,” Fajar explained. He added that the pair focused on “feeling out” the court and the shuttlecock to ensure their timing was precise.

The victory sets up a formidable clash in the Round of 16 against China’s Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi. The stakes are high; the Chinese pair were finalists in the previous edition of the tournament. Fajar acknowledged the confidence their opponents would bring as the home favorites but remained resolute about pushing his own limits to secure a win.

Muhammad Shohibul Fikri emphasized the importance of the turnaround between matches, noting that recovery and tactical preparation are now the priorities. The pair plans to analyze video footage of the Chinese duo to refine their strategy before stepping back onto the court.

Heartbreak for Raymond and Joaquin in Three-Game Battle

While Fajar and Fikri enjoyed a straightforward win, Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin endured a rollercoaster encounter against South Korea’s Kang Min Hyuk and Ki Dong Ju. In a match defined by momentum swings, the Indonesian pair eventually succumbed 21-11, 15-21, 23-25.

The opening game was one-sided, as the Koreans overwhelmed the Indonesians with a pattern that left Raymond and Joaquin struggling to anticipate the attack. However, the pair refused to fold. They clawed back in the second game, showcasing their resilience by overturning an 11-14 deficit to win 21-15 and force a deciding third set.

The rubber game was a high-tension affair that pushed both pairs to the limit. Despite their fight, Raymond and Joaquin struggled in the closing moments. “Our play was decent, but the result wasn’t maximal. In the final points, we lifted the shuttle too often, which left us open to attack,” Raymond admitted.

Joaquin echoed this sentiment, noting that while they successfully found their tempo in the second game, the initial shock of the Korean pair’s strategy in the first game set a difficult tone for the match.

The Internal Rivalry: Teammates and Tactical Tensions

The differing results in Ningbo highlight an interesting dynamic within the Indonesian national team. Fajar and Fikri have recently struggled against the younger Raymond and Joaquin, suffering losses to them at the All England Open 2026, the Australia Open 2025, and the Indonesia Masters 2026.

Fajar has been candid about the psychological and tactical difficulty of facing teammates. He pointed out that training together at the Pelatnas Cipayung facility in East Jakarta provides Raymond and Joaquin with an intimate knowledge of their game. “That is why they know our weaknesses and apply them in the match,” Fajar noted.

Fajar mentioned the unique pressure of these internal matchups, where the absence of a coach on the court during the match makes it harder to adjust strategies on the fly. This internal competition has pushed the veterans to re-evaluate their approach, focusing on countering the explosive power and speed of the younger generation.

For the Indonesian squad, the 2026 Asian Championships serve as both a proving ground and a lesson. While the exit of Raymond and Joaquin is a blow, their ability to push a top Korean pair to a 25-23 finish in the third game suggests their trajectory remains upward.

All eyes now turn to Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri. Their ability to overcome the home-court advantage of Chen Bo Yang and Liu Yi will be a critical litmus test for their form heading into the remainder of the season.

Next Checkpoint: Fajar/Fikri face Chen Bo Yang/Liu Yi (China) in the Round of 16.