The Training Program Is Complete, Sudirman Cup Team Is Ready For Battle

Indonesian men's doubles Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto during a training session ahead of Ramadan 2021 at the PBSI Cipayung National Training Center (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Central Board of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PP PBSI) said the training program to compete in the 2021 Sudirman Cup has reached its final stage and the team is ready to compete optimally.

In a virtual discussion session that took place in Jakarta, Tuesday, a number of athletes who are part of the 20 members of the Sudirman Cup team said that they are now in the final preparation stage which is more focused on maintaining physical health.

"Preparations are now quite good, now the most important thing is to take care of your health because the weather is uncertain. So the most important thing is to take care of your physical condition, if other preparations are good," said Muhammad Rian Ardianto, quoted by Antara.

The men's doubles specialist said that he and Fajar Alfian, who was his partner, immediately underwent a training program at the Cipayung National Training Center after returning from Tokyo.

Fajar/Rian took part in the Tokyo Olympic contingent to become a training opponent for the Minions and The Daddies men's doubles who competed at the Olympics.

The physical exercise program is Fajar/Rian's main portion in the Sudirman Cup team's training phase.

"Yesterday's preparations after returning from the Olympics included a lot of weight training, strengthening hands. For the physical, there were also a lot of training portions. Overall, I was ready," Rian said.

Apart from Rian, Putri Kusuma Wardani who plays in the women's singles sector also thinks that the preparations undertaken so far have been quite good.

Two weeks before the match, Putri assessed that there were still things that needed to be addressed, but the shortcomings were more of a personal aspect.

"There are already advantages and disadvantages that must be corrected. But if you lack more than yourself, for technique and others, it's okay," said the athlete who recently won the 2021 Spain Masters.

Meanwhile, PP PBSI's Head of Development and Achievement, Rionny Mainaky admitted that the coaching team was tightening up preparations for the Sudirman Cup.

"I hope they can be more prepared and focused again, so far no one has been injured and can train normally. For this week they can undergo more rigorous training, hopefully they can compete optimally," said Rionny.