RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian women’s badminton team opened their campaign at the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) 2026 with a commanding 4–1 win over Hong Kong, capped by a strong performance from Ester Nurumi Tri Wardoyo at Qingdao Conson Gymnasium, China, on Wednesday, February 4.

Playing in the fifth and final match, Ester defeated Wong Yi in straight games, 21–17, 21–14, to secure Indonesia’s first Group X victory. 

“Thank God, I’m grateful to be back on court. This was my first match, and I’m happy to contribute a point for the team,” Ester said in a statement released by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), as quoted by Antara.

She admitted feeling tense before stepping onto the court, especially after watching her teammates compete earlier. 

“I was already nervous while watching the previous matches. The atmosphere was intense, and I still felt some nerves when entering the court. But thankfully, I managed to handle it well,” she explained.

Looking ahead, Ester acknowledged the need to improve consistency. “I must play safer, fight harder, and avoid giving away easy points. Overall, though, I was satisfied with my performance and could execute the game I wanted,” she added.

Indonesia had initially fallen behind after Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan lost the opening singles match to Lo Sin Yan Happy, 21–23, 19–21. The team quickly leveled the score through doubles pair Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Meilysa Trias Puspitasari, who overcame Yeung Nga Ting/Yeung Pui Lam 21–16, 21–19.

Momentum continued as Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari secured a 21–11, 22–20 win over Saloni Samirbhai Mehta in the second singles match. Indonesia then clinched victory early when doubles duo Rachel Allessya Rose/Febi Setianingrum defeated Lui Lok Lok/Tsang Hiu Yan in three games, 21–23, 21–18, 21–11. Ester’s triumph in the final match completed the 4–1 scoreline.

With this result, Indonesia claimed their first win in Group X and will next face Japan in a decisive clash to determine the group champion at BATC 2026. ***