Head of sports development at the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) Rionny Mainaky in a statement received here on Monday, said that Indonesia will send combination shuttlers, both senior and junior players, for the biennial multi-sport event.
Meanwhile, the top players will focus on the mixed-team championship Sudirman Cup, which will be held concurrently with the SEA Games. The Sudirman Cup is slated for May 14–21 in Suzhou, China.
PBSI is hoping that Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo and Shesar Hiren Rhustavito will take the men's singles gold at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia. They will be accompanied by Christian Adinata and the runner-up of the 2023 Osaka International Challenge, Alwi Farhan.
For the women's singles, Indonesia is sending four shuttlers: Komang Ayu Cahya Dewi, Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo, Stephanie Widjaja, and Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari.
Bagas Maulana/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri and Pramudya Kusumawardana/Yeremia Erich Yoche Yacob Rambitan are expected to bring home the gold in the men's doubles and the men's team categories.
PBSI has chosen Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Amalia Cahaya Pratiwi and Rachel Allessya Rose/Meilysa Trias Puspitasari to represent Indonesia in the women's doubles.
Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles category, PBSI is relying on Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Lisa Ayu Kusumawati and Zachariah Josiahno Sumanti/Hediana Julimarbela to get a win for Indonesia.
"With this target of four gold medals, I think this is the best team because some of them have recently shown quite good achievements," Mainaky said.
"I understand this is only the SEA Games, but (based on) our experience in Vietnam last year, we cannot take this event lightly. We should be vigilant against Thailand, Malaysia, even Singapore," he added.
Indonesia locked in third place in the medal standings for the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam. Comprising 499 athletes, the red-and-white team brought home a total of 69 gold medals, 91 silvers, and 81 bronzes.
The Indonesian badminton team secured two gold medals. They were won by Leo Rolly Carnando/DanielMarthin in the men’s doubles and Apriyani Rahayu/Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti in the women’s doubles.
However, Indonesia failed to defend the men's team gold and finished with a bronze medal for the first time, breaking the winning streak of the red-and-white team, which had consistently struck gold in the category since the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand.
Related news: Taekwondo team aiming for two golds at SEA Games
Related news: Sports Minister prioritizing preparations for SEA Games, AWBG
Related news: Jokowi gives three instructions to new youth, sports minister
Reporter: Shofi Ayudiana
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
