JAKARTA - The 2023 Asian Badminton Championships officially started on Tuesday, April 25. Several Indonesian representatives have started their struggle.
There are three Indonesian mixed doubles that have already played their first match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They are Dejan Ferdinansyah/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja, Praveen Jordan/Melati Daeva Oktavianti, and Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati.
Praven/Melati qualified for the second half after winning two straight games 21-17, 21-16 over Japanese mixed doubles Kyohei Yamashita/Naru Shinoya.
"The Japanese couple did play hard, so we had discussed before the match so they wouldn't lose the start of them," Praveen said after the match.
Meanwhile, Dejan/Gloria performed extraordinary. They succeeded in eliminating sixth seed from China, Feng Yan Zhe/Huang Dong Ping.
Dejan/Gloria managed to beat the pair from China with two straight games 21-18, 21-14 after competing in 47 minutes.
"Today we are not fixated on a single pattern of play, we are trying a lot of variation because the focus is to reduce the advantages of those who excel in the top ball and their connections," said Dejan.
Unfortunately, the couple's steps were not followed by Rehan/Lisa. They had to stop competing because Rehan had a stomach and waist muscle injury.
Rehan has struggled to the maximum to overcome the injury. The world's 11th ranked pair finally finished the match after 43 minutes, and recorded the final score 21-18, 15-21, 6-11 when they met the pair Ko Chi Chang/Chih Chen Lee from Taiwan.
"The muscle tension between his stomach and waist was attracted two days before departure. Since arriving here he has been treated and tried to be treated but has not recovered," said PP PBSI mixed doubles coach Amon Sunaryo.
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