Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin secured the men’s doubles badminton gold medal for Indonesia at the Asian Games 2026, defeating China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang 18-21, 21-13, 21-18 at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on Tuesday, September 29, 2026. The victory marked Indonesia’s third overall gold medal and second in badminton at the multi-sport event.
A Dramatic Comeback in the Final
The gold-medal match tested the Indonesian pair from the opening exchange. Rather than folding under the pressure of the Chinese duo, Leo and Daniel adjusted their defensive positioning and controlled the net exchanges in the second game.
Finding a rhythm that neutralized their opponents’ explosive smashes, the Indonesians raced through the second frame 21-13. The deciding third game featured long rallies and tense baseline duels before Leo and Daniel sealed the 21-18 triumph. The win crowned a remarkable tournament run for the pair, who had earlier contributed to Indonesia’s gold medal in the men’s team event.
High Praise From Sports Leadership
The triumph drew immediate praise from Indonesia’s sports ministry and badminton leadership. Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Taufik Hidayat, watching from the stadium stands alongside Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Chairman M. Fadil Imran, expressed immense pride in the pair’s resilience.
“Alhamdulillah, the second gold from badminton and the third gold for Indonesia,” Taufik wrote in a social media statement following the match. “Congratulations and thank you to Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin, who fought extraordinarily and gave their best for the Red and White.”
Taufik highlighted the emotional stakes of the victory, noting that Daniel Marthin’s inclusion in the Asian Games squad came together under challenging circumstances. The deputy minister revealed that Daniel had recently undergone surgery and initially sat outside the primary selection plans, making their championship run a rewarding gamble for the national program.
Surpassing Tournament Expectations
The gold medal from Leo and Daniel capped off a strong campaign for the 20-player Indonesian badminton contingent, significantly outperforming the nation’s output at the previous Asian Games in 2022, where the squad exited before reaching the medal rounds.
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Beyond the men’s doubles and men’s team gold medals, the Indonesian team collected a silver medal in mixed doubles through Amri Syahnawi and Nita Violina Marwah. Bronze medals came from the women’s team, Alwi Farhan in men’s singles, and Fajar Alfian paired with Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in men’s doubles.
Reflecting on the wider medal haul, Taufik noted that the results exceeded the initial targets set by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, which had projected a single gold medal from the sport. He emphasized that the performances provide a vital foundation as national sports federations look toward upcoming regional competitions and the 2028 Olympic cycle.
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