Future star: Alwi Farhan, the 2023 world junior champion downed China’s 2024 winner Hu Zhean in the same category, to steer Indonesia to victory in the Asia Mixed Team Championships. — AFP
PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Alwi Farhan proved his worth when he helped Indonesia capture the Asia Mixed Team Championships title for the first time.
2023 world junior badminton champion Alwi gave his team a 2-0 lead over hosts China by claiming a comprehensive 21-15, 21-13 win over 2024 world junior title winner Hu Zhean at the Qingdao Conson Sports Centre yesterday.
In the women’s singles, Xu Wenjing gave two-time champions China some hope of making a comeback by stunning Putri Kusuma 21-12, 21-13.
Indonesia though were not to be denied when the more experienced Shohibul Fikri-Daniel Marthin swept aside youngsters Chen Xujun-Huang Di 21-15, 21-9 in the men’s doubles for the winning point.
Earlier, in the mixed doubles, Rinov Rivaldy-Siti Fadia Ramadhanti, who were playing together for the first time, had given their team the perfect start by beating Gao Jiaxuan-Wu Mengying 21-11, 21-13.
China had opted for a team mostly consisting of juniors for the team meet this time but still managed to overcome the likes of Hong Kong and Japan 3-2 in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.
Indonesia’s backup players though proved too strong on the day.
The team were without top stars Jonatan Christie, Anthony Ginting (men’s singles), Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto (men’s doubles) and Gregoria Mariska (women’s singles) but were also impressive when they brushed past Taiwan 3-0 in the last eight and defeated Thailand 3-1 in the last four.
Indonesia’s best performance in the event before this was winning bronze in the 2019 edition in Hong Kong.
