Why Did The Minions Become Superior At The Malaysia Open, But Not At The Indonesia Masters? It Turns Out That This Is The Answer

The pair Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon. (Photo: Twitter.com/@INABadminton)

JAKARTA - BWF has released the results of the draw for the Indonesia Masters and Malaysia Open 2023 badminton tournaments. Indonesian men's doubles, Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo/Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, have different status in the two tournaments.

While appearing at the Malaysia Open, January 10-15, the pair nicknamed the Minions had the second seeded status. However, this status does not apply to the Indonesia Masters, January 24-29.

The 23rd ranked men's doubles in the world is not used as a seed.

Head of Public Relations and Media Division of PBSI Broto Happy explained the reasons for the difference in Kevin/Marcus status.

He said the Malaysia Open was still using the old BWF rankings in determining the draw. Meanwhile, the Indonesia Masters are already using a new one.

"Malaysia Open still uses the old BWF point ranking. At that time the Minions were ranked second in the world. For the Indonesia Masters (already) based on the latest world rankings," he told VOI.

For the Indonesia Masters tournament, the first seed status is held by the Indonesian pair, Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto. This Indonesian men's doubles has just sealed the status of world number 1.

Kevin/Marcus will face the host pair Man Wei Chong/Kai Wun Tee in the first round of the Malaysia Open 2023. Meanwhile, at Istora Senayan, they will face Korean representatives Kang Min Hyuk/Seo Seung Jae.

Meanwhile, Fajar/Rian will meet the French pair Christo Popov/Toma Junior Popov in Maaysia. Meanwhile, at the Indonesia Masters later, Fajar/Rian will immediately meet their compatriots, Pramudya Kusumawardana/Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan.

Then the pair Hendra Setiawan/Mohammad Ahsan will face Chinese representatives He Ji Ting/Zhou Hao Dong in Malaysia and meet Japanese representatives Akira Koga/Taichi Saito in Jakarta.