Indonesia Wins 11 Gold Medals at European Para Badminton Tournaments

RRI.CO.ID, Solo - Indonesia's para badminton team secured a total of 11 gold medals in two international tournaments held in Europe during June 2026. Leading the medal haul was star athlete Leani Ratri Oktila, who collected five gold medals across the women's singles and doubles events.

The first tournament was the 2026 French Para Badminton International, held in Mulhouse, northern France, on June 16-21. The team then competed in the 2026 British and Irish Para Badminton International in Dublin, Ireland, on June 24-28.

Indonesian athletes won six gold, one silver, and four bronze medals across the two competitions. Meanwhile, Fredy Setiawan and his doubles partner Hikmat Ramdani also delivered consistent performances to claim gold.

Indonesia's para badminton coaching coordinator, Jarot Hernowo, praised the team's achievements on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, saying the results were crucial for improving the athletes' world rankings.

"In several events, most of the participants were among the top five ranked players in Asia. They are the ones who will compete at the 2026 Asian Para Games. Based on the current standings, our top athletes are in positions that, God willing, will qualify them for the Asian Para Games," Jarot said.

Jarot also described the intense competition between Indonesian players and rivals from other countries. An Indian women's doubles pair defeated Indonesia in France before the Indonesians avenged the loss in Ireland.

"The competition among Asian athletes is very intense because, in our strongest events, our main rivals are mostly from Asia. Only one or two events have major competitors from other continents," he continued.

Indonesia's leading women's para badminton player Leani Ratri Oktila also expressed gratitude for her achievements. The tournament in Ireland was a Level 1 event on the official Badminton World Federation (BWF) calendar.

"Thank God the results from the two events were exactly what we hoped for," Ratri said.

Ratri explained that the important victory came after she and Khalimatus Sadiyah changed their playing strategy. The pair avenged their narrow defeat to India's women's doubles team suffered in France.

"We lost (in France) after a very close match. Our head-to-head record is evenly matched. At the Level 1 tournament (Ireland), we won because we were better prepared and willing to change our playing pattern," she continued.

She is now focused on maintaining her fitness ahead of the 2026 Asian Para Games, which are scheduled to take place from October 18 to 24, 2026. "My personal target in Nagoya is to compete in good health and top physical condition so I can win three gold medals," she concluded. (Diffa Sephiawardhani-EN)