The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) has confirmed the pairing of Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo and Lanny Tria Mayasari in the women’s doubles category, a strategic move aimed at strengthening the national team’s prospects for upcoming international tournaments, including the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The decision, first reported by multiple Indonesian sports outlets, marks a significant shift in PBSI’s approach to women’s doubles, which has struggled to maintain consistent success in recent years.
According to a statement from PBSI’s head coach, the pairing was based on “technical compatibility, tactical synergy, and long-term developmental goals.” Ester, a seasoned player with experience in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles, will partner with Lanny, a rising star in the women’s doubles circuit. The move follows a broader restructuring of Indonesia’s national team, which includes the reassignment of several key players to new events and partnerships.
Why the Pairing?
The decision to pair Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo with Lanny Tria Mayasari reflects PBSI’s efforts to balance experience with youth. Ester, 26, has been a consistent presence in Indonesia’s women’s doubles lineup, while Lanny, 22, has shown promise in recent regional tournaments. Coaches cited Ester’s ability to provide stability and leadership, combined with Lanny’s aggressive playing style and physicality, as key factors in the decision.
“Ester brings a wealth of experience from competitions like the 2023 Indonesia Masters and the 2024 BWF World Championships,” said a PBSI spokesperson. “Lanny’s energy and adaptability make her a perfect complement. Together, they represent a blend of maturity and dynamism that aligns with our goals for the next cycle.”
The pairing also addresses a gap in Indonesia’s women’s doubles hierarchy. Since the retirement of the duo of Greysia Polii and Apriyani Rahayu in 2022, the nation has lacked a dominant women’s doubles team. The new partnership is seen as a step toward filling that void, with coaches emphasizing the importance of building depth for major events.
Context and Historical Precedent
Indonesia’s women’s doubles team has historically struggled to match the success of its men’s counterparts. While the men’s doubles pair of Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan dominated the 2010s, the women’s side has faced challenges in maintaining consistency. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics saw the women’s doubles team reach the quarterfinals, but no medal was secured.
The current pairing comes amid a broader effort by PBSI to revitalize its women’s program. In 2023, the association launched a talent development initiative focused on identifying and nurturing young doubles players. Lanny Tria Mayasari, who has been part of this initiative, was highlighted as a key prospect in a 2024 PBSI report.
Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, meanwhile, has experience in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Her mixed doubles partnership with Pramudya Kusumawardana earned them a bronze medal at the 2022 BWF World Championships. However, her women’s doubles career has been less consistent, with limited success in top-tier tournaments. The new partnership may represent an opportunity to reinvigorate her singles and doubles performance.
What It Means for the 2028 Olympics
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is a critical target for PBSI, which has faced pressure to improve its medal count in recent years. The women’s doubles category is considered a potential medal chance, and the Ester-Lanny pairing is expected to play a central role in this strategy.
“The 2028 Olympics is the next major milestone,” said a PBSI official. “This pairing is part of a long-term plan to ensure we have strong, competitive teams across all categories.” The decision aligns with a broader trend in badminton, where nations are prioritizing doubles over singles to maximize medal prospects.
The partnership will likely face scrutiny in the coming months. Ester and Lanny will need to build chemistry quickly, as they are set to compete in the 2026 Japan Open, one of the most prestigious tournaments on the BWF calendar. Their performance in these early events will be a key indicator of their potential.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the optimism, the pairing is not without challenges. Ester and Lanny will need to adapt to each other’s playing styles and develop a cohesive strategy. Their first major test will be the 2026 Japan Open, which begins on July 15. The tournament, held in Tokyo, is a critical stop for players aiming to qualify for the
