Badminton Asian Games 2023: Apri/Fadia Resign, Indonesia Only Releases 3 Representatives To Quarter Finals

The pair Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti. (Photo: Twitter @INABadminton)

JAKARTA - Women's doubles Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia failed to win tickets to qualify for the last 16 of the 2023 Asian Games. The Indonesian pair decided to withdraw in the first game because Apriyani had a calf injury problem.

"Apri suffered a right calf injury. This is the same injury during All England 2022. It happened yesterday against the Hong Kong pair, there was a movement that didn't fit so it felt again. Because yesterday it was a match point, Apri forced her to finish the match," said the women's doubles coach, Eng Hian, quoted from PBSI's official social media.

"From last night therapy and recovery were carried out. This morning we evaluated, he said he was still trying first. But his condition could not be forced, rather than getting worse, it was decided to resign."

"For small movements, it doesn't hurt anymore, but to play, there must be a long range, there must be an explosivity, there must be a reaction, it turns out that there is still pain. It's better after this we return to Jakarta as soon as possible, recover there, therapy there. Hopefully in the next tournament we can return to compete," he continued.

Facing representatives of Japan, Yuki Fukushima/Sayaka Hirota at Binjiang Gymnasium on Wednesday, October 4, Apriyani/Fadia gave up when her position was left behind in the first game.

When the points entered 3-15, Apriyani/Fadia, who had difficulty from the start of the match, finally gave up due to injury. In fact, Apriyani/Fadia became Indonesia's last representative to compete in the Asian Games badminton field today and have a chance to qualify.

With Apriyani/Fadia's decision to resign, Indonesia no longer has representatives in the women's doubles sector. Because Febriana Dwi Puji Kusuma/Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi, who previously appeared, lost when they met Chen Qing Chen/Jia Yi Fan.

The opportunity to win the previous medal was also dashed in the mixed doubles sector following the defeat of Rinov Rivaldy/Pitha Haningtyas Mentari from Yuta Watanabe/Arisa Higashino.

In the round of 16, the Indonesian contingent only has three representatives in the men's singles, women's singles, and men's doubles sectors. With the target of three gold carried by PBSI, each remaining representative has the burden of winning gold.