3 Indonesian Representatives Reach BWF World Junior Championships Semifinals 2023 Individual Numbers

Indonesia places three representatives in the semifinals of the BWF World Junior Championships 2023 individual numbers. (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian representatives achieved extraordinary achievements at the BWF World Junior Championships 2023 individual number. Three Red and White athletes have entered the semifinals.

Indonesia actually placed five representatives in the quarter-finals which took place at The Podium Arena, Spokane, Washington, United States, Saturday, October 6, WIB.

Three of them managed to win to keep the hope of winning the title.

In the women's singles, Chiara Marvella Handoyo made a big surprise and qualified for the last four after displacing Japan's first seed, Tomoka Miyazaki. Through a fierce 80-minute struggle, Chiara won over the 2022 Junior World Championship champion with a score of 21-14, 18-21, 22-20.

"Praise God, I am grateful to be able to win in this match and be able to secure a medal for Indonesia. The match was also quite tight. From the first to the third game I continued to be under pressure. I just tried and prayed so that I could get points by points," Chiara said in a written statement.

"In the second game, I also continued to be tense. Instead of trying to make ball punches, I could trouble my opponent, even cut them into pieces," added Chiara, quoted by Antara.

Even in the third game, Chiara was 17-20 behind. But with calm, focus, and steel spirit, he was finally able to win five consecutive points which led him to qualify for the semifinals.

"In the third game, I was ahead and then followed. I was hesitant and also tense. However, in the end I was able to slowly catch up and just play it safe," said Chiara.

Facing Huang Lin Ran from China in the semifinals, Chiara wants to play comfortably so that all her abilities can come out. "Hopefully we can play well and win," hoped Chiara.

In the mixed doubles, Jonathan Farrell Gosal/Priskila Venus Elsadai also advanced to the semifinals. The 12th seed succeeded in displacing representatives of Japan, Kenta Matsukawa/Nao Yamakita with an identical score, 21-13, 21-13.

"Today we can play more freely, calmly, and play cleaner," said Elsa, Venus Elsadai's nickname.

"We played more freely, and were not in a hurry than yesterday's match," added Jojo, Jonathan Farrell Gosal's nickname.

In the last four, Jojo/Elsa will face Liao Pin Yi/Zhang Jia Han from China. The player from the Bamboo Curtain country once defeated Jojo/Elsa in the team final, with a score of 21-19, 21-14.

"For tomorrow's match, we are more focused. Looking at the video footage of the match. Moreover, we lost in the team. Of course we don't want to repeat the same mistake. But the team and individual matches are different burdens. We want to play for ourselves and play loose first," said Felixa.

Unfortunately, his compatriot, Adrian Pratama/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu had to stop their struggle. They were defeated by the fourth seed from Malaysia, Low Han Chen/Chong Jie Yu, 18-21, 16-21.

For the men's singles, Indonesia leaves Alwi Farhan. This fourth seed qualified for the last four after defeating sixth seed from China, Wang Zi Jun, 21-19, 21-18 in 42 minutes.

"Grateful to win. The match, I was armed with self-confidence. Even though I was left behind at the beginning of the first and second games, I was able to restore my game pattern. The key is to play more calmly and more confidently," said Alwi.

In the semifinals, Alwi will meet Ayush Shetty, a non-seeded player from India. In the first meeting in the semifinals of Denmark Junior 2021, Alwi was defeated by Ayush in three games, 21-16, 17-21, 21-23.

"For tomorrow, the opponent and I are both willing to win. I want to focus on my confidence and my strengths. That will be my provision and the key to my victory in tomorrow's match. I have to keep my mind set and have to think positively," said Alwi.

In the men's doubles, Muhammad Al Farizi/Nikolaus Joaquin failed to advance to the semifinals after being stopped by the fourth seed, Ma Zhang/Zhu Yi Jun (China), 21-15, 17-21, 14-21.