Nova Widianto Targets 2026 Asian Games Medal as Indonesia Overhauls Mixed Doubles Squad

The strategic shift follows Widianto’s return to the national setup in August 2026 after completing a coaching stint with the Malaysian national team from 2022 to 2026. Tasked with revitalizing a squad that once dominated global competitions, the 48-year-old coach emphasized that the team is essentially starting from scratch. According to statements released at Cipayung, the immediate objective for the 2026 Asian Games is clear-cut: securing medals through a completely reconfigured player roster.

“The target, I think, for us and for the athletes personally must be a medal. We are not aiming too high or too low, it has to be a medal first.”

PBSI Unleashes Radical Roster Overhaul and New Pairings

The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) has executed a series of bold partnership shuffles to engineer a tactical breakthrough. Among the notable changes, Nikolaus Joaquin has been paired with Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, while Amri Syahnawi and Nita Violina Marwah have been assigned to international continental duties. Further expanding the talent pool, PBSI announced three additional new partnerships: Dejan Ferdinansyah paired with Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu, Bagas Maulana partnering with Apriyani Rahayu, and M. Nawaf Khoiriyansyah teaming up with Indah Cahya Sari Jamil.

Early returns on the tactical gamble have shown flashes of potential. Dejan Ferdinansyah and Apriyani Rahayu claimed the title at the Pontianak International Challenge 2026 in early September, signaling immediate on-court chemistry. Meanwhile, Amri Syahnawi and Nita Violina Marwah captured a bronze medal at the 2026 BWF World Championships, providing tangible momentum as the new combinations begin international competition.

Addressing Mental Resilience and Tactical Consistency

Widianto noted that the primary challenge facing the restructured mixed doubles lineup is not raw physical talent, but psychological fortitude and consistency under pressure. In an era where traditional powers like China face fluctuating depth in the discipline, the Indonesian coaching staff is prioritizing a foundational reset of athletic mindset.

“Indonesian mixed doubles used to be strong, but we must restore their self-confidence and show them that they are capable,” Widianto stated. “Perhaps for the beginning, I want to open up the athletes’ mindset first, then change their playing style and consistency. The most important thing is to restore their confidence first. Yes, we are starting from zero again.”

With limited time before the 2026 multi-sport extravaganza, the effectiveness of Widianto’s new combinations will be rigorously tested against elite international competition.

Next Steps for the Indonesian Squad

The newly formed pairs will continue their preparations at the Cipayung national facility ahead of upcoming BWF World Tour stops and qualification milestones leading directly into the 2026 Asian Games.