Junior Athletes Begin Hunting for Individual Titles

SOLO, WEDNESDAY – After failing to become champions alongside their teammates, Indonesian badminton players are starting their efforts to achieve the junior Asian championship title in the individual category. Men's singles is the event most anticipated to achieve the best results.

The competition for the championship title in the name of oneself at the Junior Asian Championship in Solo, Central Java, began on Wednesday (23/7/2025). This tournament for athletes aged 19 and under in the individual category took place following the mixed team championship held from July 18 to 22. China emerged as the champion after defeating Thailand in the final, while Indonesia was eliminated in the quarter-finals.

After failing to secure the 2024 world team championship title alongside the 2025 Asian championship, Indonesian athletes are shifting their focus to individual championships. Among the 33 home representatives in five categories, men's singles is the sector most relied upon to achieve the title.

Among the seven representatives in the men's singles category competing at GOR Manahan, three of them are seeded, with two occupying the top two seeds, namely Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah (1) and Richie Duta Ricardo (2). Another player, Denis Azzarya, is seeded ninth.

As seeded players, Zaki, Richie, and Denis began their competition in the second round after receiving a bye in the first round. The seeds in other events also faced similar challenges. However, unlike the men's singles, Indonesia only had one seed each in the other events.

Based on this data, the men's singles player is expected to be a number that can deliver a championship title, as stated by the coach of that category at the national training center, Wimpie Mahardi. Nevertheless, Wimpie hopes that Zaki and his teammates do not become overly confident, as the competition is considered to be evenly matched among several countries. Wimpie mentioned athletes from various countries who could pose a serious challenge to Indonesia, such as those from China, Thailand, and South Korea.

Among all Indonesian players, Zaki is the player with the best achievements and has experience competing against senior players. The world number one in the junior men's singles category reached the semifinals of the 2024 Junior World Championship held in China. He was also part of the Indonesian team that became the world champion in the team category.

In higher competition, Zaki won the Indonesia Masters I Super 100 in 2024. In 2025, his experience increased as he competed in the BWF World Tour Super 300 tournaments, namely the Thailand Masters and the Taiwan Open. He also participated in the mixed team championship, the Sudirman Cup 2025.

The note has made the PB Djarum athlete favored to become the junior Asian champion. His journey began with a match against Thai player, Punnatat Prempunpong, on Wednesday. Despite facing tight resistance in the middle of the second game, Zaki won 21-9, 21-12 and will face Vietnamese player, Lo Trieu Huy, in the third round.

If he wins, Zaki will begin to meet seeded players in the fourth round. In the upper half of the draw, the highest seed that could become Zaki's opponent is Barath Latesh (4). The athlete from the United Arab Emirates could be an opponent in the semifinals.

Denis secured a ticket to the third round after winning two games against Singaporean player, Chew Jie Rui, with scores of 21-12, 21-8. Meanwhile, Richie defeated Sri Lankan player, Reshan Dimbukkuwalage, with scores of 21-8, 21-13.

The only son of the host who has confirmed his participation in the third round is Dendi Triansyah. Without a seeding status to his name, Dendi competed in two rounds on Wednesday. After winning 21-10, 21-6 against Lee Louis (Malaysia), he faced a three-game challenge from Filipino player Lovic Caceres Javier, winning 21-13, 18-21, 21-12.

Before entering the second round, Dendi had anticipated the good abilities of Javier. Moreover, his opponent is a left-handed player, which required Dendi to adapt in directing his punches.

"I want, at the very least, to reach the semifinals because this is my first and last Junior Asian Championship. In the short term, I want to perform at my best in every match," said Dendi, who will turn 18 in August.

From the lineup of women's singles players, Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan, Christabel Calista Purwanto, and Kavitha Nadjwa Aulia have secured their spots in the third round. Meanwhile, the majority of doubles players are set to compete in the second round in matches scheduled to take place on Wednesday midnight. The packed schedule on the first day of the tournament even allows for matches to continue until early Thursday morning.

The Chairman of the Development and Achievement Division of PP PBSI, Eng Hian, urged athletes to demonstrate strong spirit, motivation, and self-confidence to compete in the individual category. The coaches' evaluation from the team matches is also expected to help athletes perform better by showcasing their full potential.