A Disappointing Outcome for a Badminton Giant

In a stunning turn of events at the World Championships, badminton powerhouse Indonesia saw its proud men's doubles tradition take a significant hit as none of its pairs advanced to the quarter-finals.

Historically, Indonesia has been a dominant force in men's doubles, boasting an impressive 10 titles in the championship's rich history. Unfortunately, fans were left disheartened as this year marked a missed opportunity for an 11th title.

Top Seeds Fall Short

The disappointment came to a head when world No. 4 duo Fajar Alfian and Rian Ardianto, along with world No. 10 pair Leo Rolly and Bagas Maulana, exited the tournament prematurely. Fajar and Rian fought valiantly against Japan's formidable 2021 champions Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi, but ultimately succumbed in a tight match, ending 21-13, 11-21, 17-21.

Leo and Bagas started strong against South Korea's top-seeded pair Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae, clinching the first game 21-17. However, their momentum fizzled as they lost the next two games decisively, finishing at 21-9, 21-4.

Recent Struggles and Historical Context

It was a tough outing for Sabar Gutama and Moh Reza as well, who narrowly lost to Denmark's Rasmus Kjaer and Frederik Sogaard in an intense battle ending 18-21, 21-18, 24-26. This marks a stark contrast to their historical performances; the last time Indonesia’s men’s doubles teams failed to make it past the early rounds was in 2009.

Although they had a non-participatory year in 2021 due to COVID-19 safety concerns, this year's outcome was particularly disheartening given their prior successes.

Call for Improvement from a Legend

Former Indonesian badminton legend and four-time world champion Hendra Setiawan, who currently mentors the Sabar-Moh pair, emphasized the need for consistency and mental fortitude in the fiercely competitive landscape of men's doubles.

"The form of Sabar and Moh has been erratic," Hendra stated in a recent interview. "The competition is tougher than ever, and they need to bolster their self-belief to overcome the mental hurdles that can hinder their talent." Hendra himself holds illustrious titles, including one with Markis Kido and three with Mohd Ahsan.

A Long Road Ahead

It's clear that Indonesia is far from the glory days of Hendra’s era. This year's poor results were not entirely surprising as the Indonesian teams struggled throughout the season, failing to clinch any titles together so far.

Fajar's only victory this year came when partnering with Shohibul Fikri at the China Open just last month—a glimmer of hope in an otherwise challenging year.

As the badminton world watches, Indonesia stands at a crossroads, needing to harness their historic pride and talent to rise once more in the competitive arena.