Jojo Eyes Victor Lai Challenge in Indonesia Open 2026 Final

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian men’s singles shuttler Jonatan Christie, popularly known as Jojo, is wary of Canadian youngster Victor Lai, his opponent in the final of the 2026 BWF World Tour Super 1000 Indonesia Open. He believes Lai possesses strong skills and fighting spirit.

Jojo advanced to the final after defeating Thailand’s Panitchaphon Teeraratsakul 16‑21, 21‑10, 21‑12. Earlier in the tournament, he also overcame fellow Indonesian Alwi Farhan. Lai, meanwhile, battled hard to oust Chinese Taipei’s top seed Chou Tien Chen 21‑19, 19‑21, 21‑19.

The 28‑year‑old Indonesian considers Lai one of the biggest surprises at this year’s tournament. “Victor is the third young shuttler I’ll face after Alwi Farhan and Panitchaphon,” Jojo said on Saturday, June 6. He noted that today’s young players show remarkable ability, endurance, and competitive spirit at the highest level.

Jojo said Lai’s victory over Chou proved his quality. “That match was tight and showed Victor’s ability to handle pressure,” he remarked. “I must anticipate this in the final. He has great quality and can perform consistently against experienced opponents.”

He added that young players generally bring speed, stamina, and the courage to take risks, which can be challenging if he fails to control the rhythm early. “Experience, however, remains a crucial factor in helping players make the right decisions under difficult circumstances,” Jojo said.

Jojo also praised the rise of young shuttlers worldwide, saying their growing competitiveness in recent years has been accelerated by opportunities to compete in major tournaments. “Young players have speed, energy, and strong determination to achieve the best results,” he said. “But experience is still vital in coping with pressure at the world’s highest level.”

In preparation for the final, Jojo plans to evaluate strategies with the coaching staff and study his opponent’s matches through available footage. “This is important to determine the best strategy for the 2026 Indonesia Open final,” he said. (Gusti Panji)