Nanchang: Indonesia’s junior badminton team emerged victorious in the 2024 BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships a.k.a Suhandinata Cup held at the Nanchang International Sports Center, China, on Saturday.
The Indonesian junior team brought home the trophy after a five-year wait, marking Indonesia’s second title since 2019.
Indonesia team defeated the host nation, top-seeded China, in a tight final match with a score of 110-103.
This victory also marked Indonesia’s back-to-back appearance in the Suhandinata Cup final, this time with the new relay point scoring system.
Team captain Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari was Indonesia’s first player in the women’s singles category but was defeated by Xu Wen Jing with a score of 7-11.
The score turned in Indonesia’s favor when the women’s doubles pair Isyana Syahira Meida and Rinjani Kwinara Nastine triumphed over Chen Fan Shu Tian and Liu Jia Yue, bringing Indonesia ahead 22-15.
In the third match, mixed doubles pair Darren Aurelius and Bernadine Anindya W secured a narrow victory over Lin Xiang Yi and Liu Yuan Yuan, winning 33-31.
The competition remained intense, with Indonesia’s first men’s singles player, Moh Zaki Ubaidillah, extending the lead to 44-40 after defeating Hu Zhe An.
Indonesia’s men’s doubles pair Anselmus Breagit F.P. and Pulung Ramadhan widened the gap to 55-48 after winning against Hu Ke Yuan and Lin Xiang Yi.
The same players returned for the second half of the final, and Mutiara and the team continued to play cohesively, ultimately securing the 2024 Suhandinata Cup with a final score of 110-103.
Indonesia’s junior badminton team manager, Rionny Mainaky, praised the team’s composure under intense pressure and their unity, which were key factors in securing the 2024 Suhandinata Cup.
“I’m extremely proud of the kids’ efforts. They gave their best for Indonesia,” said Mainaky.
“Their performance was outstanding in China. They stayed calm under tremendous pressure. I greatly appreciate that,” added Mainaky.
Furthermore, Mainaky emphasized that team unity played a crucial role in bringing the Suhandinata Cup back to Indonesia.
“Their teamwork was excellent. This is crucial in a team. They were also disciplined and fought to the very end,” continued Mainaky.
However, he reminded the team not to rest on their laurels, as the individual events in the 2024 World Junior Badminton Championships will take place next week.
“Don’t get too complacent with this result. There are still the individual events, so all sectors must show the same fighting spirit and determination. I’m confident they can do it,” concluded Mainaky.
Here is a recap of the Indonesia vs China matches in the 2024 Suhandinata Cup final:
WS1: Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari vs Xu Wen Jing 7-11
WD1: Isyana Syahira Meida/Rinjani Kwinara Nastine vs Chen Fan Shu Tian/Liu Jia Yue 22-15
XD1: Darren Aurelius/Bernadine Anindya Wardana vs Lin Xiang Yi/Liu Yuan Yuan 33-31
MS1: Moh Zaki Ubaidillah vs Hu Zhe An 44-40
MD1: Anselmus Breagit Fredy Prasetya/Pulung Ramadhan vs Hu Ke Yuan/Lin Xiang Yi 55-48
WS2: Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari vs Xu Wen Jing 66-55
WD1: Isyana Syahira Meida/Rinjani Kwinara Nastine vs Chen Fan Shu Tian/Liu Jia Yue 77-62
XD1: Darren Aurelius/Bernadine Anindya Wardana vs Lin Xiang Yi/Liu Yuan Yuan 88-77
MS1: Moh Zaki Ubaidillah vs Hu Zhe An 99-87
MD1: Anselmus Breagit Fredy Prasetya/Pulung Ramadhan vs Hu Ke Yuan/Lin Xiang Yi 110-103
