Coach Opens The Possibility Of Duet Fajar Alfian With Daniel Marthin

Fajar Alfian and Daniel Marthin were paired in the 2024 Thomas Cup (doc. PBSI).

JAKARTA The men's doubles coach, Aryono Miranat, did not rule out the possibility of pairing Fajar Alfian with Daniel Marthin after seeing the performance of the two badminton players while appearing in the 2024 Thomas Cup.

Currently Fajar Alfian is still paired with his colleague Muhammad Rian Ardianto, while Daniel is partnered with Leo Rolly Carnando. However, there is still a possibility that they will be overhauled at some point.

"It may be after the 2024 Olympics (Paris 2024). We don't know yet. It all depends on the Olympics," said Aryono when asked about the potential for dismantling the two pairs.

Fajar/Daniel were paired as partners when Indonesia fought South Korea in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Thomas Cup last week. At that time both of them participated in the fourth party and became the decisive victory for Indonesia.

They stopped the pair Ki Dong-ju/Kim Won-ho in two straight games to bring Indonesia to the semifinals of the two-year edition men's team tournament.

Aryono said Fajar/Daniel are suitable to appear as a couple. He saw that both of them have the quality of each as a forward and defender and often practice together at the PBSI Cipayung National Training Center.

"Good, suitable, because individually one forward, one defender. Can fill each other. They have also practiced a lot so that their performance can enter," he said.

When appearing in the 2024 Thomas Cup, Fajar and his colleagues succeeded in bringing Indonesia to the final round. Unfortunately, in the final match of the Red-White defeat 1-3 against the host China.

This is the third consecutive final for Indonesia in the Thomas Cup. Of these three opportunities, one of them ended in the 2020 edition which took place in Denmark.