QINGDAO, CHINA – The burgeoning Indonesian men’s doubles pairing of Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin are quickly gaining attention, with many drawing comparisons to the legendary duo of Marcus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo – affectionately known as “Minions.” The rising stars recently reached the semifinals of the All England Open, fueling the debate. Now, Marcus Gideon himself has offered his perspective on the comparisons, acknowledging the pair’s potential while highlighting what still separates them from the pinnacle of the sport.
Gideon, who retired from competitive play two years ago, remains a keen observer of the badminton world. He’s been following the progress of Raymond and Joaquin, noting their impressive run of form. “Reaching the semifinals is already a significant achievement for Raymond/Joaquin,” Gideon said, according to reports from CNN Indonesia. “Their target shouldn’t stop there. If you’re talking about championship contenders, they’ll be looking at pairs like Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto or Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Ahsan.”
Still, Gideon tempered expectations, suggesting that while their performance is commendable, it doesn’t quite reach the consistent level of success historically achieved by Indonesia’s top men’s doubles teams. “Usually, we [Indonesian men’s doubles] are always in the finals,” he noted. This speaks to the incredibly high standard set by Indonesian badminton over decades, a legacy Raymond and Joaquin are now attempting to build upon.
The comparisons to the “Minions” – Gideon and Sukamuljo – are inevitable, given the similar aggressive and fast-paced playing style that has become a hallmark of Indonesian men’s doubles. This style is a direct result of the coaching influence of Chafidz Yusuf, the strategist credited with developing both the Gideon/Sukamuljo and Alfian/Ardianto pairings. Yusuf began working with Raymond and Joaquin in February 2025, signaling a deliberate effort to cultivate a new generation of elite doubles players. Nikolaus Joaquin currently holds a world ranking of 13th in men’s doubles alongside Raymond Indra as of March 10, 2026.
Gideon emphasized the importance of individual character and perform ethic, qualities he clearly sees in the younger pair. “Every person has their own character, and I know these two are diligent. When I visit their training sessions, they’re always the first ones there, already working hard,” he said. “It’s no surprise that they’re achieving good results given that they have the drive and dedication. They’re enthusiastic, hardworking, and that will likely translate into further success.”
While acknowledging the talent of Raymond and Joaquin, Gideon pinpointed the unique brilliance of Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo as a key differentiator. “They’re good, but when comparing them to the ‘Minions,’ they haven’t found anyone who plays exactly like Kevin,” Gideon explained. “Right now, there isn’t. But I think Raymond/Joaquin will break into the Top 5 this year.” This suggests that while the pair possesses significant potential, replicating the unpredictable and often dazzling play of Sukamuljo remains a considerable challenge.
The rise of Raymond and Joaquin comes at a crucial time for Indonesian badminton. With Gideon and Sukamuljo retired, the nation is looking for new stars to carry the torch. Their partnership, initiated under the guidance of Chafidz Yusuf, has already yielded impressive results, including a title at the Australian Open in November 2025, which propelled them up the world rankings to 24th. This jump of eight places demonstrates their rapid progress and growing confidence on the international stage.
The pair’s aggressive style and relentless pursuit of points have already earned them comparisons to other Indonesian legends like Hendra Setiawan and Markis Kido, as well as Taiwanese women’s singles star Tai Tzu Ying, highlighting the breadth of their appeal and the excitement they’re generating within the badminton community. BNI, a major sponsor, has already praised their debut, further underscoring their potential to become household names.
Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin began their partnership relatively recently, in February 2025, and have quickly ascended the rankings, demonstrating a remarkable ability to adapt and improve. Their journey from the Singapore International Challenge, where they first teamed up, to competing at the Super 100, 300, and 500 levels is a testament to their dedication and talent. They’ve secured multiple titles at the international series/challenge level and have consistently reached the latter stages of major tournaments.
As the badminton world looks ahead, all eyes will be on Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin to see if they can live up to the immense expectations and establish themselves as the next dominant force in men’s doubles. Their next challenge will be at the upcoming Indonesia Masters, where they will look to build on their recent successes and further cement their place among the elite.
What’s Next: Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin will compete in the 2026 Indonesia Masters, beginning March 12th in Jakarta. Fans can follow updates and live scores on the BWF website: https://bwfbadminton.com/
What do you think? Can Raymond and Joaquin reach the heights of the “Minions”? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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