What is the purpose of the PBSI PP's dismantling and reassembling of the double sector formation?

Why are Fajar/Fikri a new option for men's doubles pairs?

The victory of Fajar Alfian/Mohammad Shohibul Fikri at the China Open can be considered a surprise. Both of them are actually just a temporary pair as each already has their own partner.

Only due to certain circumstances did they eventually pair up, which surprisingly resulted in a trophy at one of the highest-level tournaments in the BWF calendar. On their journey to the highest podium, Fajar/Fikri defeated top world players, including the world number one men's doubles team, Seo Seung-jae/Kim Won-ho, in the quarter-finals in two games.

In two games, they also triumphed over the silver medalists of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang, in the semifinals. In the final match, it was the turn of the bronze medalists from the last two Olympics, Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik, who were defeated through fast play at the front of the court.

Fajar/Fikri won the China Open and reached the quarter-finals of the Japan Open the week before. Both are currently classified as a temporary pair as they are unable to compete with their respective partners.

Rian (Fajar's partner) was absent from the tournament after the Indonesia Open due to awaiting the birth of his child. Meanwhile, Daniel Marthin, who became Fikri's partner since August 2024, suffered a left knee injury while playing in the Sudirman Cup in May and underwent surgery a month later.

After winning in China, Fajar/Fikri has become one of the options for a new formation in men's doubles. This is part of the search for doubles players who are ready to compete at the highest level starting in 2026, with the main target being the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Can Apriyani shine again with Fadia?

With five months remaining in 2025, the women's doubles sector is seeking partners who can break into the top world competition, with the primary target being the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. One of the strategies is to reunite Apriyani Rahayu with Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, along with three other pairs in the main training camp.

In a statement released by PP PBSI on Friday (1/8/2025), four pairs will compete in the Asia Tour in September, specifically at the Hong Kong Open and China Masters. In addition to Apriyani/Fadia, the other three pairs are Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi/Lanny Tria Mayasari, Rachel Allessya Rose/Febi Setianingrum, and Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Meilysa Trias Puspitasari. They are a formation created from Febriana/Amalia, Rachel/Meilysa, Fadia/Lanny, and Apriyani/Febi.

Aside from the other three pairs, Apriyani and Fadia have played together before. They were paired in 2022 after Greysia Polii (Apriyani's partner) retired. When Apriyani did not compete after the Paris 2024 Olympics, Fadia played with Lanny. They won the Indonesia Masters Super 100 title in 2024 and the Thailand Masters Super 300 in February 2025.

After becoming champions in Thailand, Fadia partnered again with Apriyani, who returned to the tournament after a seven-month absence. They competed in the Orleans Masters and All England in March.

However, since May, Apriyani has received a different partner and responsibility when paired with Febi. She must guide Febi, a 21-year-old athlete with limited competition experience in the BWF World Tour events.

What does Fajar/Fikri's victory at the China Open mean?

In a brief collaboration, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri won the prestigious tournament, the China Open. This title could have a positive impact on their journey, particularly for Fajar, who will compete in the Badminton World Championship.

In the only final without Chinese players held at the Changzhou Olympics Sports Centre on Sunday (27/7/2025), Fajar/Fikri defeated the Malaysian pair ranked second in the world, Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik, with a score of 21-15, 21-14. This marks the first title for Indonesian badminton players at the high-level BWF tournament, Super 1000.

The host athletes won four other events, as last occurred in 2024. This time, they were more dominant as the competition for the men's and women's singles titles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles took place among fellow Chinese players.

Wang Zhi Yi and Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping defended their titles in women's singles and mixed doubles. Shi Yu Qi won the men's singles title, while Liu Sheng Shu/Tan Ning became the women's doubles champions.

The addition of four championship titles solidifies China's position at the top of the list of countries with the most titles in the BWF World Tour (Super 300, 500, 750, and 1000) in 2025. Out of ten tournaments, China accumulated 23 titles, followed by South Korea (16 titles), Thailand (12), Japan (8), and Malaysia (6).

Could Fajar/Fikri's victory be a momentum for the revival of Indonesian badminton?

Indonesian badminton fans will have to wait until more than halfway through 2025 before the Red and White shuttlers achieve success in high-level tournaments on the BWF World Tour calendar. This success was attained through the efforts of the men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in the final of the China Open last weekend, which was the last Super 1000 level tournament of the year.

Out of 16 BWF World Tour tournaments (Super 300, 500, 750, and 1000) held earlier this year, or a maximum potential of 80 championship titles, the Cipayung team has only secured two titles at the Super 300 level. The women's doubles pair Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti/Lanny Tria Mayasari won the Thailand Masters on February 2, and the mixed doubles pair Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu achieved victory at the Taiwan Open on May 11.

Compare that to China, which has won 23 titles up to the China Open, with South Korea having 16, followed by Thailand (12), Japan (8), and Malaysia (6). China also dominates the four prestigious Super 1000 level tournaments (Malaysia Open, All England, Indonesia Open, and China Open), with eight titles, followed by South Korea with six (Kompas.id, 27/7/2025).