Tangerang, Banten (ANTARA) - Indonesian badminton athletes, Jonatan Christie, Fajar Alfian, Muhammad Rian Ardianto, and Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, who emerged champions in the 2024 All England Open tournament, returned to Indonesia on Monday evening.

Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo, Secretary of the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) Fadil Imran, and other officials welcomed the triumphant athletes on their arrival at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

The PBSI secretary commended the fruitful efforts of the coaches and athletes who brought home victory.

"Today, we witness the result of a unified teamwork with one vision and one spirit for the glory of Indonesia," Imran stated here on Tuesday.

The positive outcome of the 2024 All England Open championship is the result of perseverance, discipline, and hard work throughout the process by athletes, coaches, and officials, he affirmed.

The association commended Christie, Alfian, Ardianto, and Ginting, who championed the tournament, as well as other athletes who have exerted their efforts in the championship.

"We should be thankful for our achievements today, but we should also be focused on preparing our next tournaments," the PBSI official stated.

Imran expressed hope that the achievements would be a momentum of awakening for Indonesia's badminton and motivate the athletes to achieve more in the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.

"An important lesson from our struggle in All England Open is to fight against doubts in our own heart. Hence, I want to express my highest appreciation to all athletes and coaches who have worked hard to bolster confidence and the spirit to fight," he remarked.

Jonatan Christie won in the 2024 All England Open men's singles after defeating own compatriot Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, who emerged as the runner-up, in the first "all Indonesian final" since 1994.

Meanwhile, the pair of Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto retained the men's doubles title, defeating Malaysian pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.

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Translator: Azmi Syamsul M, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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