SEA Games 2025: Ubed Hajar Unggulan Pertama Loh Kean Yew

Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah managed to secure the men's singles semifinal ticket for the 2025 SEA Games (doc. NOC Indonesia/Naif Muhammad Al'as).

JAKARTA Men's singles badminton player Mohammad Zaki Ubaidillah managed to beat Loh Kean Yew's first seed to get a ticket to the 2025 Thailand SEA Games semifinals.

Ubed, Ubaidillah's nickname, defeated the 2021 world champion in the two straight games 21-19 and 21-10 at Thamasat Rangsit Gymnasium 4 on Friday, December 12, 2025.

"I didn't expect to win two straight games, I was prepared for a tight match and dare to be tired today," said Ubed.

In the semifinals, Saturday, December 13, 2025, Ubed again received a tough test because he will meet fourth seed Leong Jun Hao from Malaysia, who got a ticket after beating the host's representative Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul.

Besides Ubed, Alwi Farhan also got tickets for the men's singles semifinals. The 2023 junior world champion continued his journey in this tournament thanks to defeating the representatives of the Philippines, cover Villaflor, with a score of 21-18 and 21-14.

"I'm definitely happy to be in the semifinals, but I still have a target to fulfill. Promises and expectations for myself first because I know best what I have sacrificed and fought for," said Alwi.

Alwi, who previously joined the Indonesian team for the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, will then face Justin Hooh from Malaysia, who eliminated Kantaphon Wangcharoen (Thailand).

Bentok tomorrow is the seventh meeting between Alwi and Justin Hooh. In the previous six clashes, Alwi won four times, three of which occurred in their last four clashes.

In this year, their only meeting took place in the final round of the Macau Open. At that time, Alwi managed to bring home the title thanks to an impressive performance to win two straight teams.

"Two years ago I entered the team SEA Games team, but I didn't play. In individuals I haven't been selected, so now I'm trying to improve myself by continuing to try my best at every opportunity," said Alwi.

Overall, there were eight Indonesian representatives who broke into the semifinals at the 2025 SEA Games. Apart from the two from the men's singles, tickets were also obtained for two women's doubles, two men's doubles, one women's singles, and one mixed doubles.