The Pride from the New Generation

AFP/JUSTIN TALLIS

Indonesia's Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (R) and Indonesia's Bagas Maulana celebrate after winning against Indonesia's Mohammad Ahsan and Indonesia's Hendra Setiawan during the men's doubles final at the All England Open Badminton Championship at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, central England, on March 20, 2022.

BIRMINGHAM, SUNDAY — Indonesia deserves to be proud and relieved when Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/Bagas Maulana were born as All England men's doubles champions. The title, which shows the success of the men's doubles regeneration, is their first step to taking on bigger challenges.

Indonesia's number five men's doubles pair won their debut in a tournament at BWF World Tour Super 1000 level. As the oldest badminton tournament in the world, having been held since 1899, the All England prestige is greater than other events of the same level, such as the Indonesia Open and China Open.

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Therefore, winning the tournament, which was held at the Utlita Arena in Birmingham, England, from 16 to 20 March is like a dream for the pair, ranked 28th in the world. In the final on Sunday (20/3/2022), they defeated more senior players who are respected by all players and were also All England 2014 and 2019 champions, Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan, 21-19, 21-13.

We are very proud to be able to win and win from the seniors,

Unable to contain his emotions, Fikri cried when Ahsan and Hendra hugged him while shaking hands after the match. "We are very proud to be able to win and win from the seniors," said Bagas, describing their feelings after being crowned All England champions.

The victories in the previous three rounds were no less great. They defeated eighth seeds Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi (Malaysia), world champions Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi (Japan) and the world's number one men's doubles pair, Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, in the second round to the semifinal.

AFP/JUSTIN TALLIS

Indonesia's Muhammad Shohibul Fikri (L) playing with Indonesia's Bagas Maulana returns the shuttlecock to Indonesia's Mohammad Ahsan and Indonesia's Hendra Setiawan during the men's doubles final at the All England Open Badminton Championship at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, central England, on March 20, 2022.

As in the previous four rounds, Fikri/Bagas played fast. Fikri is in charge of organizing attacks in front of the net, while Bagas is the executor through smashes from behind the court.

"They played well and deserved to win," said Ahsan, who is playing with injuries to both calves but declined to discuss his condition.

Due to the injury suffered since the quarterfinal, Ahsan received treatment during the second half of the game. After that, his movements became very limited. There were no more jumping movements from the 34-year-old player. The couple, nicknamed “The Daddies”, found it difficult to keep up with Fikri/Bagas' speed.

Indonesian men's doubles now has a candidate pair to be the successor to the Hendra/Ahsan and Kevin/Marcus generation.

Even though they lost, Hendra/Ahsan were also proud of the title won by their “younger brothers”. Indonesian men's doubles now has a candidate pair to be the successor to the Hendra/Ahsan and Kevin/Marcus generation.

The title won by Fikri/Bagas is the 22nd title for Indonesian men's doubles at All England. This is more than any other country since the 1970s.

Christian Hadinata/Ade Chandra won the first Indonesian men's doubles title in 1972. Like Fikri/Bagas, Christian said, it was their first time competing in the All England.

No gap

However, there is something more comforting for Indonesia, which relies on badminton to gain pride in world-class sport. Since Christian/Ade became champions, Indonesia has continuously produced new men's doubles champions.

This is a good picture for regeneration.

Christian said the men's doubles regeneration was going well with an indicator that there was no big gap between seniors and the later generation. “While the senior players are still doing well, their younger siblings are ready to continue. This is a good picture for regeneration," he said.

Based on his experience, former men's doubles player Bambang Supriyanto is of the opinion that the achievements made in men's doubles are an example for young players. “Generally, the careers of men's doubles players are longer than other badminton players. They also become role models for younger players. The existence of seniors like that is very influential on the young players who train with them,” said Bambang.

KOMPAS/JULIAN SIHOMBING (JS)

Ricky Subagja and Rexy Mainaky

Bambang won the All England 1994 when he was paired with his senior, Gunawan, after Gunawan became the All England champion in 1992 in men’s doubles with Eddy Hartono. After that, Bambang's achievements continued with the triumph of Ricky Subagja/Rexy Mainaky.

In the 2000s era, the dominance of the men's doubles was in the hands of four players who could become champions even if they were disassembled. They are Tony Gunawan, Halim Haryanto, Candra Wijaya and Sigit Budiarto. Below them were Markis Kido/Hendra, Hendra/Ahsan and continued to Kevin/Marcus.

Currently, there are three other men’s doubles pairs with equal abilities under Kevin/Marcus, Hendra/Ahsan and Fajar Alfian/Muhamad Rian Ardianto. Fikri/Bagas were the most successful in making their debut at All England. Pramudya Kusumawardana/Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan became young stars when the Indonesian Badminton Festival was held in Bali, November-December 2021, by qualifying for the BWF Final tournament. Meanwhile, Leo Rolly Carnando/Daniel Martin, the 2019 Asian and world junior champions, reached the semifinal of the All England-level tournament, namely the 2021 Thailand Open.

The three pairs were part of the Indonesian youth team that reached the final of the 2022 Men's Team Asian Championship in Malaysia, February. They lost in the final to the host players.

Christian reminded players and coaches not to be complacent with their achievements at the All England. Another thing that is no less important, according to Bambang, is that the central board of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) must provide comfort for players as national assets.

In the women's category, Japan has maintained dominance since 2020. The women's singles title was won by Akane Yamaguchi, while the women's doubles was won by Nami Matsuyama/Chiharu Shida. (IYA)

(This article was translated by Kurniawan Siswo).